IRNA Joint Flood Assessment Report Aweil West
th Flooding in Angol 8 Oct 2020
Northern Bahr el Ghazal South Sudan
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West October 8th and 9th, 2020
Background
Aweil West County is currently projected to have a population of more than 296,950 people1. It is one of the 5 counties in the Northern Bar El Ghazal (NBeG) that borders Aweil North, Aweil East, Aweil Centre and Raga Counties. Community members depend on livestock production, farm produce, market purchases for their household livelihood. Other sources of income in the county include small-scale enterprises, fishing, charcoal trading and apiculture.
As reported by RRC and County Agricultural Department, since September 2020, an estimated 2,422 households have been affected by flooding in areas along the River Lol, with households fleeing to higher ground to escape the rising waters; women and children are most affected. On 8th to 9th October Humanitarian partners from five different organisations, the RRC and County Agricultural Department launched Inter-agency Rapid Needs Assessment (IRNA) mission in 14 villages across seven of the most effected Payams. See table one below.
Table One – IRNA Assessment Locations S/n Name of the village Payam County 1. Angol Gom Guer Center Aweil West 2. Abyei Gomguer Center Aweil West 3. Amatnyang Gomguer East Aweil West 4. Ameth Gomguer East Aweil West 5. Wathnyang Gomguer West Aweil West 6. Akuaklang Gomguer West Aweil West 7. Mabior Ngor Ayat East Aweil West 8. Gukic Ayat East Aweil West 9. Makuoc Ayat Center Aweil West 10. Wungiir Ayat Center Aweil West 11. Mayom Kou Ayat West Aweil West 12 Mayom Agep Ayat West Aweil West 13. Angor Chok Gore Aweil West 14. Maper Pami Gore Aweil West
Due to the extensive flooding and the limited capacity of the partaking partners, two villages were selected in each Payam, to be used as a sample and to get an overview of the situation in Aweil West. The selection of the villages was based on accessibility, estimated acreage and the estimated number of households affected by flooding. For a more extensive list of impacted villages, please see Annex One attached which has been provided by the local County Agriculture Department.
The methodology used during the assessment includes, key informant interviews (KII) with local authorities and community leaders, interviews with members of the affected population and interviews with vulnerable groups such as women, elderly, children and the people living with disabilities. Additionally, observation was used to gauge and understand the humanitarian situation in the affected areas.
In regard to access, although most teams were able to get close to the villages by vehicle, some villages (Makuoc, Angol, Ameth, Makek Mayar) required that the teams wade through water to reach, while others like Angol, Amet and Amatnyang were only reachable by boat. All areas would normally be accessible by vehicle. The security situation was also calm during the assessment.
1 South Sudan National Bureau of Statistics/United Nations as cited by CWW south Sudan context analysis
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Map One – OCHA Mapping of Aweil West
Highlights
Displacement from the village was noted in over half of the villages surveyed, while one third of the villages were hosting people from other areas. All the villages had residents with children under the age of 18 and people over the age of 60. Based on KII interviews with community leaders and affected people, it is estimated that 2,422 households have been impacted by the flooding in Aweil West county. Most of the villages sampled indicated that their food stock; especially Cereals, Pulses and Legumes would only last for a duration of 1-2 weeks. There are some noted exceptions where they state that there are supplies for less than one week. There seems to be significant outbreaks of malaria with all but two villages noting instances of it. Seven villages noted more than 40 cases in the last seven days NFIs, particularly blankets, plastic sheeting and mats are required since many households were displaced by the flooding. All except three villages had mosquito nets, although quality and quantity per household is unclear. To provide humanitarian assistance, there is needs for independent registration to verify the exact number of affected populations. The security situation was calm at the time of assessment
Scope of the crisis and humanitarian profile
A total of 14 locations were physically assessed by the assessment team. Local authorities and some affected people interviewed indicated that most of the lowland areas in Aweil West County have been affected at a varying degree, with an unspecified number of people displaced from their homes. Since the assessment the situation in terms of flooding has slightly improved, however villages are still severely impacted and should the heavy rains continue it’s likely that the already saturated ground will flood further. County Agriculture Department (CAD) data indicates that an estimated 2,422 households across 118 villages2 were impacted by the flooding. Data on the number of people displaced was not available at the time. In FGDs and interviews, an unspecified number of houses were reported to have been submerged and families’ members were forced to seek shelter with relatives and friends. In the 14 villages assessed an estimated 259 households were impacted. Some of the interviewed displaced families reported that their farms and homes were submerged in water forcing them to seek shelter from relatives and friends. Women, children and the elderly are the most affected.
2 Population across 118 villages is 31,975 people according to CAD Data
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Status of the population in the affected area
Villages are currently relying on their own production for Sorgum and Maize, with most villages saying that they have one to two weeks supplies left in stock. Access to the markets have been interrupted mostly due to road access constraints, while agriculture activities have also been affected in most villages assessed, especially in Anyuopjang, Anguerchok, Amatnyang, Langaken, Makuoc, Marialbai, Mabior Ngor and Maper Pami.
In most assessed areas the teams saw significant flooding, with access points submerged requiring the teams to wade through water. Gardens have been submerged in water, while there has also been extensive reporting of property damage. In one village alone (Agor), 72 Tukuls were reported to have been severely damaged by floods.
Some villages have noted that the displaced in said villages are now depending on the host community, with all these communities stating that they are willing to help where possible. Over 50% of villages surveyed stated that people have moved away due to flooding. Some key informants stated that some people in their villages had resorted to coping strategies with most revolving around decreasing the consumption of food, either by eating smaller meals, not eating the whole day or skipping meals.
In the seven days prior to the assessment, there was a significant number of cases of malaria with the flood providing a conductive environment for the breeding of mosquitoes. Respiratory infections and diarrhoea were also a concern with a number of cases noted in all villages. A total of six villages also noted issues with skin diseases. The affected communities have limited access to health services since the flood cut off community access roads. Most people now take 1 to 2 hours to reach a health facility.
Key findings
Food security and livelihoods
Key findings
Food security; Household food security is likely to be compromised as there are reports of crop damage and livestock deaths. Access to markets has also been restricted due to accessibility issues. Villages have noted that food reserves will last for one to two weeks according to some of the affected household members interviewed. Livelihoods and coping: Currently, most of the households derive food from their own garden with Sorghum being the main crop. Most interviewed affected households and host families have reported restricting food consumption and reducing the number of meals consumed. Fishing: Despite the flooding only about half of the villages had used fishing as a source of food. Three villages listed the need for fishing equipment as a priority. Household purchasing power; Floods might cut off some villages from the main market. Supply to the main market might decline due to accessibility constraints. Prices of food and non-food items are expected to increase. All these factors are likely to compromise household purchasing power.
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response
Immediate provision of food assistance to the most affected and displaced communities. Where possible, agricultural inputs mostly vegetable seeds can be provided by end of November, households will be able to utilize the swamps for watering vegetable through the dry season. Fishing kits to the affected households in areas with fishing potential to enable them take advantage of the seasonal fishing. Cash transfer to the most affected Households. Rehabilitation of damaged storage facilities using CFW/A approach. Floods awareness creation through radio and community-based disaster risk reduction committees Incentives to the SMEs. Need for increased access to veterinary services and supplies.
Health
Key findings
High case of malaria and diarrheal diseases; those surveyed reported about 2,307 cases of malaria, 2,034 respiratory infections and 804 cases of diarrheal diseases in the last seven days. This could not be verified.
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
HPF run health facilities continue to provide health services in most parts of Aweil West. Concern Worldwide is operating mobile health clinics in Ajok Akuak Rel, a location accessible to flood affected people in Ayat centre. Health facilities generally take 1 to 2 hours to access. Low stock level of essential drugs at Marialbai PHCC and Majakbai PHCU, Gori PHCU and Nyamlell PHCC for health service delivery.
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response
Mobile health service to be activated for community health in the areas with long travel time to health facilities. Provision of long-lasting insecticide treated nets where required. Increase essential drugs supplies at health facilities.
Emergency Shelter/NFI Key findings
Key findings
Findings indicate that the average number of people living in the households is 5.8. Most households are still living in Tukuls or simple wood structures. Provision of plastic sheets for shelter and sleeping mats are required. Most villages said that they had access to mosquito nets, however the quality or the number of nets per household is unclear. This is especially important as there are a high number of cases of malaria.
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response
Provision of NFIs to displaced families to include plastic sheeting, blankets and mats. Provision of long-lasting insecticide treated nets where required.
Nutrition
Key findings
Concern Worldwide has continued to provide nutrition activities, they both run OTP and TSFP services with an in- patient feeding program available at Nyamlell stabilization centre (also supported by Concern Worldwide). MUAC screening was not conducted to identify GAM and SAM cases during the assessment. Poor sanitation and hygiene practice was observed as most affected household don’t have pit latrines and hand washing facilities. The potential risk of facial contamination is therefor high.
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response
Continue with the ongoing nutrition services and ensure flood displaced or affected households are sensitized through MIYCN and COVID-19 prevention messaging, scale up screening for early detection of malnutrition and treatment particularly in locations most affected by flood. Continue to maintain a prepositioning plan for all nutrition sites to ensure uninterrupted services delivery.
WASH
Key findings
Women and girls are reported to be the one collecting water for domestic use. It takes an average of fifteen to thirty minutes to access water collection sources in the flood affected area. Five areas have reported that it can take one to two hours. A total of 3 villages reported that the hand pump was non-functional. Two of these reported that they were drinking from the river or the stream. Interviewed households reported the practice of open defecation in the bush, this increases the likelihood for fecal contamination. Poor hygiene practices were observed increasing the risk of diarrhoea and COVID-19. This was observed in all areas. Menstrual kits were requested in two areas.
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Priorities for Immediate Humanitarian response
WASH NFIs; Soap, PUR, Buckets, and water collection containers. Need to step up community hygiene promotion services in affected areas. Rehabilitate broken hand pumps in areas affected by flood. Conduct HP chlorination where required. Conduct community awareness/training on water treatment methods.
Assessment information
IRNA stands for “Initial Rapid Needs Assessment”
Initial: Serves as a ‘first look’ at locations where immediate emergency humanitarian response is anticipated, and determines immediate priorities for intervention – registration and targeting of caseload can be required as follow-up, or ‘blanket’ distribution of aid can be actioned directly.
Rapid: Deployed quickly, from a list of pre-trained and pre-qualified humanitarian personnel.
Needs Assessment: The IRNA is an Inter-agency and inter-cluster process using an ICWG-endorsed tool, reporting format and methodology – namely The IRNA form, and the IRNA Reporting Template.
The IRNA was endorsed by the South Sudan Inter Cluster Working Group (ICWG) and launched in November 2012, combined with training of humanitarian actors at Juba and state level.
Participating Organisations
- Concern Worldwide (Coordination and reporting) - Welthungerhilfe - HealthNet TPO - ARC Relief - SPEDP - World Concern
Thank you to the Aweil West RRC and the State Agriculture Department who also participated in the assessment and hosted the initial assessment meeting.
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Picture 1 – Flooding in Ameth Village
Picture 2 – Flooding in Ameth Village
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Picture 3 – Flooding in Amatnyang
Picture 4 – Flooding in on Ameth Road to Ariath
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Picture 5 – Sorgum in Gukic
Picture 6 – Flooding in Angol
IRNA – Joint Flood Assessment Report, Aweil West County October 8th and 9th, 2020
Picture 7 – Dead goat due to drowning in Angol