2200 families flooded from their homes after Merowe Dam filling

Aug 15, 2006 (LONDON) — Latest figures suggest that more than 2200 families from the Amri community in northern Sudan have been flooded from their homes after the Merowe Dam authorities started filling the reservoir without warning last week.

The rising floodwaters have covered fields and destroyed crops and
fodder. Thousands are now living in the open, without food or shelter.
More than 12000 heads of Livestock have been lost to the rising
floodwaters and more are expected to die due to a lack of fodder. There
is now a severe risk of disease breaking out.

Some 700 houses have been completely destroyed in the villages of
Shikora, Al Bana, um Haza, El Batareen, Um Kouk, El Khezian and Gerf El
Doud. The villagers have lost everything and are now without shelter,
clean water or food. A further 380 houses have been damaged in villages
on higher ground and are now in danger of collapse due to the floodwater.

The area has been completely cordoned off by the authorities. Adil Awad,
the Chief of Dam Security unit, told a journalist who tried to enter the
area that he was under order from higher authorities not to allow any
Press, non-governmental organisations or relief aid to enter the area.
Journalists from Rai Al Sha’ab, Alwan and Al Aldwa were detained and
interrogated in Nuri, a village downstream from the dam where the
security chief is stationed.

Villagers who managed to leave the area reported that many human remains
are surfacing on the water as a result of graveyards being inundated by
the rising waters. Thousands of dead animal float in the floodwaters,
and the water is completely contaminated. Many incidences of diarrhoea
and an unknown type of fever have been reported. There is a widespread
fear that the floodwaters will spread contagious diseases to the heavily
populated areas downstream from the dam.

As of 15 August, no government ministers or officials had visited the area.

Members of the Amri community in Khartoum have formed an action
committee to secure emergency relief. Villagers from around the affected
area are also trying to provide food and shelter to those whose homes
have been destroyed. The Committee representing the Amri has made an
appeal to the Red Cross for emergency aid.

To avoid an eminent human life loss, there is urgent need for
international community to press the government to allow relief aid into
the area. Medical and food supplies are urgently needed for babies and
pregnant women. The Government must allow UN organisations, press and
NGOs to enter the area to provide relief for the needy.

(LOHAP)