Travelling from Terekeka County of Central Equatoria State to the other parts of Bahr el Ghazal via Awerial is currently challenging following the heavy rains that have cut off the road.

Heavy trucks loaded with goods heading to the other parts of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region are stranded in Awerial County of Lakes State after the road had been damaged by torrential rains.

Confirming the incident to South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday, the Undersecretary of the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges, Jeremiah Torich Bairiak said the Terekaka-Yirol road is now completely cut off.

According to Bairiak, the Chinese firm Shandong Hi-speed has been instructed to rehabilitate the main road for it to be accessible. 

“We have instructed the company to move quickly to the site to maintain the damaged sections,” he said.

A truck driver, Mandella Ashraf, said he spent almost a week in Awerial and he is worried that the goods will rot reach the destination soon. He appealed to the national government to rescue the traders.

The lack of paved roads is a real issue in South Sudan where road transport is crucial for delivering aid and consumer goods. Humanitarian organizations often have to rely on air travel to move people and supplies across states, especially during the rainy season.

As a result, South Sudan is considered one of the most expensive countries in the implementation of humanitarian programmes.