THE CASTAWAYS OF THE WHITE NILE | France 5 | Les Routes de l'Impossible

It’s the youngest state on the planet, taking independence from its elder brother, Sudan, 11 years ago. However, when you say young nation, you mean everything has to be built, everything to be created. The people don’t lack the courage to do that especially as they have to confront several plagues.

It’s a setting worthy of the biggest disaster movies and yet the floods that have descended upon South Sudan over the last 4 years are only too real. The level of the White Nile has never been higher, entire cities are under water and local populations are struggling to preserve the few tiny spots of land that serve as refuge for them.

Boats have replaced trucks on the flooded roads, but the journey isn’t any easier. Sailing over flooded land means confronting multiple dangers.

The survival instinct is second nature to the South Sudanese and drivers run all sorts of risks on the rutted tracks.

Ancient tribes like the Mundari are trying to adapt to global warming to preserve their traditions and their cattle.

The courage of the people is the best bulwark against the fury of the river.