United Nations to launch appeal for Sudan floods

August 16, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — One and a half months into destruction caused by intense flooding in the Sudan, the United Nations and partners announced today that an appeal to the international community will be launched, so that they may continue to respond to the emergency.

“We have already secured funding from pooled funds, but we hope that donors will be able to cover the gap. An appeal to fund the remaining needs will be launched in the coming days”, John Clarke, a United Nations official at the forefront of the relief efforts, said today.

The United Nations has already allocated US$ 4.76 million for the emergency, from its locally-managed Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF). From this amount, funding has so far been assigned to 15 projects managed by four United Nations agencies and five NGOs.

At least 365,000 people have already been directly affected by the floods, meaning total or partial loss of their homes, essential household items, or food stocks. Due to the destruction of at least 30,000 homes, at least 150,000 were left without any shelter. Local livelihoods were also damaged, with the loss of at least 12,000 livestock and 16,000 chicken, and at least 96,000 feddans (40,320 hectares) of crops.

The United Nations and partners are now preparing to react to new flooding in the coming weeks, which could affect up to an estimated 265,000 more persons — this being the planning figure used in preparing a relief plan.

The United Nations is working very closely with the Government and national entities, in providing a coordinated response. At a press briefing here on 14 August, Mr. Clarke addressed the media on the emergency and the relief efforts, together with Ms. Afaf Bukhari of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, which is heavily involved in the provision of aid. “We are also working to ensure that local donors and the local community, to the extent possible, will help and assist”, said Ms. Bukhari.

Six weeks after torrential rains started to devastate many parts of the country, the United Nations and partners, in support of the Government, have so far assisted at least half a million people affected by the floods, including those indirectly affected by the damage to local livelihoods, and those left without safe drinking water.