Construction of dyke protect Unity State residents from floods

BENTIU – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has constructed 17.7 kilometer of dyke in Rubkona County and Bentiu town of Unity State to protect residents from floods that have devastated oil rich region.

The dyke helped residents by preventing floods and reclaimed 43 square kilometres of land that was previously submerged in water at Panthiany payam, which can accommodate 120,000 households.

The dyke extends from the south of Bentiu’s Kuerbuone-Nhial Diu road and the Panthiany-Dhorbor area to the Thowmangor suburb.

Kangach Chap Deng, a resident of Bentiu, stated that the construction of 17.7 kilometres of dykes under ECRP II offers a sense of hope, indicating safety and stability for the communities affected by flooding.

“Before the construction of dyke, the community living here suffered a lot because this area submerged in water,” said Deng.

He stated that dyke construction has not only offered immediate relief by preventing additional flooding but has also fostered a sense of security among communities in Bentiu, enabling them to resettle in reclaimed areas.

“The land was under water; we had nowhere to farm and live. After reclamation of this area, we now have enough space to residents in, farm and for our cattle to graze on,” he said.

“During the rainy season, we have one pumping machine that are helping us to pump out the water but they are not enough.”

This development is part of a government-led initiative, the Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project Phase II (ECRP II), which is funded by the World Bank.

The $150 million project funded by the World Bank aims to benefit 950,000 individuals across 79 counties in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap.

This five-year initiative is being carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as the main implementing partner, along with NGOs.

Nyeruai Mabor Thilyong, a resident of Bentiu town, has requested that humanitarian organizations provide shelter for those in need.

“We lack proper shelters, we are staying in grass thatch houses, which is not secure because theft at night can cut the grass and enter to steal from us,” Mabor said.

She added that “We are appealing to UN Agencies and NGOs to provide with use shelter because our houses were destroyed by floods. We are in vulnerable position.”

Miriam Mutalu, the IOM head of Sub-Office in Bentiu, stated that the ECRP II project encompasses over 52 kilometers of dyke in Rubkona  and Bentiu.

“Now, as you have seen, the 52 plus kilometres dike that have been covered by ECRP have been protecting the population of Bentiu and Rubkona. And without these dikes, this place would have been submerged,” said Miriam.

Miriam stated that, with funding from the World Bank through the ECRP, they were able to recover approximately 12 square kilometers.

“It’s 12 square kilometers, to enable the displaced people who were displaced in Pakur to come back. And also reducing the infrastructure that also was destroyed during the war and during the flood in Pakur,” she said.

For over five years, relentless seasonal flooding has displaced more than half of population across Rubkona, and other counties of Unity State.

Homes, grazing areas and farmland vanished under water, forcing entire communities onto shrinking highlands.

The devastating floods cut people off from transportation and social services such as health, and market from Bentiu town.