Heavy rains, floods affect thousands of people in Sudan

August 25, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – An estimated 317,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding across Sudan, the UN humanitarians agency (OCHA) said in its latest report.

This, it said, includes an estimated 118,000 people who are displaced.

The most affected states, according to OCHA, include North Darfur, West Darfur, River Nile and Northern Darfur.

At least 39 people are been killed and 112 injured due to heavy rains and floods, according to OCHA’s update.

“Actual numbers are likely much higher,” it stated in its report.

“The risk of disease outbreaks due to the flooding and subsequent stagnant flood waters is high across affected states. Recently, the Sudan Ministry of Health has confirmed 556 cholera cases with 27 associated deaths across Kassala, Gedaref, Aj Jazirah and Khartoum states”, it added.

The report says over 30,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in eastern Sudan since the start of the rainy season in June.

This, it noted, includes an estimated 13,843 people in Kassala, 16,868 plin Red Sea, and 1,662 in Gedaref.

“The rains damaged 190 tents accommodating about 950 people in gathering sites in Kassala town. In addition, 33 schools in Kassala town, Reifi Gharb Kassala, Halfa Aj Jadeedah, and Refi Aroma localities have been damaged depriving over 23,000 children of access to education facilities,” OCHA said in its report.

“The actual number of people affected is believed to be higher as authorities and humanitarian partners continue to assess the impact of heavy rains and flooding among host communities, refugees, and internally displaced persons (IDPs)”, it observed.

Meanwhile the floods have also destroyed crops, impacting the main livelihood practices of farming, animal husbandry and daily wage labor.

“In River Nile State, the health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) situation in areas along the River Nile is dire, with contaminated water, destroyed latrines, and a severe shortage of scorpion venom serum,” OCHA reported.

“The floods reportedly damaged 150 public buildings, and compromised more than 32,200 latrines, according to partners. The Sudan Floods Dashboard reports says 11,381 homes have been destroyed and 384 homes have been damaged.

Humanitarian partners. are reportedly working with the authorities to respond to the immediate needs of people affected by floods across the country.

(ST)