The United Nations and international aid organizations cooperated to dig a new drainage canal to reduce flooding at the UN-protected camp were approximately 46,000 ethnic Nuers are taking refuge in Bentiu, South Sudan.

High floodwaters at the camp had resulted in the spread of water-borne diseases, the collapse of latrines and overall worsening of the living environment for the people who sought UN protection at the low-lying base.

In its regular update yesterday, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported, “Excavation of one drainage channel was completed, and drainage water was slowly flowing out of the site. An additional channel was under construction.”

MSF official Arjan Hehenkamp stated that MSF workers and others helped to dig the 2 km drainage canal, calling the development “great news” and saying the new drainage canal resulted in dramatic reduction in water levels in the camp.

According to OCHA, the drainage canals will remove not only rainwater but also sewage ponds from the camp site. The UN agency cautioned that “large parts of the site were still flooded and living conditions remained dire.”

Aid workers also report that women who venture outside of the camp to gather firewood remain at high risk of attack, with 62 per cent of women recently surveyed reporting being attacked while out collecting.

UNMISS has established three patrols per day on the main routes to support security, according to the OCHA report.

Bentiu town is controlled by SPLA-Juba forces loyal to Salva Kiir. The civil population remains mostly displaced elsewhere or under UN protection in Bentiu.

Photo: Bentiu Protection of Civilians site (UNICEF)

Related coverage:

40,000 people trapped in flooded area in Bentiu (9 Aug.)

Dozens of children buried in Bentiu (8 July)