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11 August 2024 (Port Sudan) – Heavy rains and flooding have affected tens of thousands of people across Sudan, causing further displacement, injuries and even deaths, the United Nations refugee agency says.
More than a year of conflict, combined with heavy seasonal rains across Sudan, means refugees and internally displaced persons face a dire humanitarian situation.
The situation in Sudan is also being exacerbated by the growing impacts of climate change.
According to the UN agency, more than 11,000 people, including refugees hosted by the country and local communities in the eastern state of Kassala, have been affected by severe flooding and heavy rains over the past two weeks.
These include many families who recently fled violence in Sennar state and are hiding in five gathering places and reception centres, the report said. Some have been displaced three or four times since the conflict began. They have lost their belongings, including food rations, and face huge challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases. More than 400 shelters in Shagarab refugee camp have also been destroyed, pushing already vulnerable people into abject poverty.
UNHCR and its partners are reportedly doing everything they can on the ground to help the most vulnerable people, working with the state government to identify new land where they can set up tents to house affected families.
The new settlement is expected to house around 800 families displaced by the floods. UNHCR has already begun building emergency shelters, with around 400 tents erected so far. Despite continued rains, at least 200 families have been able to relocate.
In addition, UNHCR plans to distribute plastic sheets to refugees to repair roofs damaged by the storm.
More rains are expected in eastern and western parts of the country. To mitigate similar impacts in other states, including Gedaref, White Nile and Blue Nile, UNHCR is pre-positioning core relief supplies and shelter kits, cleaning drains, building dykes to reinforce internal roads and protecting camps and settlements for displaced people.
Flooding in Darfur has also impacted the already limited ability of aid agencies to reach those in need in areas we could otherwise access. Humanitarian needs in the region have reached unprecedented levels as hundreds of thousands of civilians remain at risk, with famine recently confirmed in one displaced persons camp.
Conflict has destroyed crops and disrupted livelihoods. The climate crisis is making displaced people even more vulnerable. Flooded land means people cannot grow crops and graze livestock, exacerbating food insecurity and hunger in areas affected by drought and conflict. Climate adaptation measures are urgently needed to reduce vulnerability to these recurring shocks.
UN agencies warn that people are moving in search of safety as the conflict spreads across the country.
To date, more than 10 million people have been forced to flee their homes within the country and across borders.
UNHCR said it had received just $5 million of the $40 million earmarked for assistance and protection of 5.6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and local communities in Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, Rwanda, South Sudan and Sudan.
(English stone)
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