South Sudan: Floods compound existing humanitarian crisis

Juba, South Sudan, 2025 — Catastrophic flooding has displaced tens of thousands of people in South Sudan, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis in a country where three-quarters of the population — over 9 million people — are in need of humanitarian assistance. The floods have submerged entire communities, destroyed homes and livelihoods, and cut off access to clean water and basic services.

South Sudan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. For years, the country has alternated between severe drought and devastating floods, with climate change intensifying both extremes. The latest flooding has hit some of the same areas that were affected by severe floods in 2020, 2021, and 2022 — raising concerns about whether communities have time to recover before the next disaster strikes.

Devastation on an enormous scale

The current flooding has affected multiple states across South Sudan, including Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Warrap, and Upper Nile. In some areas, entire villages have been submerged, forcing residents to flee to higher ground or seek shelter in camps and spontaneous settlements.

According to UN estimates, more than 300,000 people have been directly affected by the floods, with at least 40,000 displaced. Homes have been destroyed, crops have been wiped out, and livestock — the primary source of livelihoods for many communities — have been lost. Schools and health facilities have been damaged or closed, leaving children without access to education and communities without access to medical care.

"The floods have taken everything from these communities. People have lost their homes, their livestock, their crops, and their means of survival. On top of everything else South Sudan has been through, this is yet another cruel blow."

Compounding existing suffering

The floods come at a time when South Sudan was already facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Years of civil war, political instability, and economic collapse have left millions of people dependent on humanitarian aid. Violence between armed groups continues in many parts of the country, and food insecurity is at record levels.

Now, the floods have made an already desperate situation even worse. Roads have been washed away, making it difficult or impossible for humanitarian organizations to reach affected communities. Bridges have been destroyed, cutting off entire regions. In some areas, people are without food, clean water, and medical care for days or even weeks on end.

Disease and malnutrition threats

One of the most urgent concerns following the floods is the risk of disease outbreaks. Standing water creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria. Contaminated water supplies raise the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera. In a country where the health system is already extremely weak and vaccination coverage is low, an outbreak could have devastating consequences.

Malnutrition is also a growing concern. The floods have destroyed crops and killed livestock, leaving many families without food. In a country where nearly 5 million people are already facing severe food insecurity, the loss of livelihoods could push even more people to the brink of famine.

HopeAid's emergency response

HopeAid is responding to the floods in South Sudan with an integrated emergency response focusing on three key areas:

• Emergency food assistance: Distributing food rations to displaced and affected families, with a particular focus on children under five and pregnant and lactating women who are most at risk of malnutrition.
• Clean water and sanitation: Providing emergency water trucking, distributing water purification tablets, and constructing latrines to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in displacement camps.
• Shelter and non-food items: Distributing tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets, and other essential items to families who have lost their homes.
• Health services: Deploying mobile health clinics to provide primary health care, disease surveillance, and vaccination services in flood-affected areas where health facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
• Protection: Establishing child protection services and safe spaces for women and girls, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence and exploitation in displacement settings.

Our teams are working around the clock to reach as many affected families as possible, often in extremely challenging conditions. Where roads are impassable, we use boats, helicopters, and airstrips to deliver assistance to isolated communities.

Climate change and South Sudan

The flooding in South Sudan is part of a broader pattern of climate-related disasters affecting the country. South Sudan contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the countries most affected by climate change. Prolonged droughts have devastated pastoralist communities in the north, while increasingly severe floods have destroyed farmland and settlements in other parts of the country.

Climate change is not just an environmental issue for South Sudan — it is a humanitarian one. As climate disasters become more frequent and intense, they will continue to undermine development gains, drive displacement, and exacerbate conflict over resources.

How you can help

The people of South Sudan have already endured so much. These floods are yet another devastating blow to communities that are struggling to survive. Your support enables HopeAid to rush life-saving assistance to families who have lost everything.

Please donate today and help us reach more families with the food, water, shelter, and protection they urgently need.

Tags: Emergency South Sudan Floods HopeAid Field Stories