UNHCR considers mitigation of floods’ negative impact on refugees in Sudan

March 31, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The UN agency for refugees, UNHCR, is studying ways to mitigate floods’ negative effects, including accessibility, on the South Sudanese refugees and host communities in the White Nile state of Sudan.

The United Nations estimate that over 349,000 people in Sudan, including refugees and host communities, were affected by the heavy rains in 2022. The White Nile state hosts at least 280, refugees from South Sudan.

In a report released on Thursday, the UNHCR said they have been conducting a study in the refugee camps affected by the floods in 2022 in order to prepare for the wet seasons which will begin in May 2023.

“Dikes are to be reinforced, and food and non-food items to be prepositioned closer to the camps. Road repairs, bridges and speedboats are being considered to improve humanitarian access and avoid communities living on the western bank of the White Nile River being cut off by flood waters,” reads the report.

The head of the UNHCR sub-office in the White Nile state said that their efforts are limited by the underfunding of their humanitarian action, as there is a lack of necessary resources to strengthen infrastructures to withstand floods.

“There is a need to look beyond quick-fix responses into preparedness and building resilience among these communities through development interventions to mitigate risks associated with the next rainy season,” said Reuel Christopher Nettey.

In 2022, UNHCR Sudan received only 43 per cent of the $349 million needed to provide protection and life-saving assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons and their host communities.

(ST)