War-weary Sudanese face new hardships as floods hit
According to to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), five gathering places and reception centres in the provincial capital town of Kassala and Gharb Kassala were among those affected.
More than 10,000 people have been displaced from fighting in the neighbouring state of Sennar.
Flooding was also reported in Aj Jazirah, East Darfur and North Kordofan provinces, affecting some 280 households.
Since war broke out between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces in April last year, thousands of civilians have been killed and more than 10 million people have been displaced, including about 2.1 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
The conflict has devastated livelihoods and destroyed crops, raising serious concerns of looming famine.
Refugee camps affected
In Shagarab, about 80 km south of Kassala town, about 400 shelters in refugee camps have been set up. DamagedRefugee reception sites in Wad Sherifye, on the outskirts of Kassala town, were also affected.
With heavy rain forecast in the coming days, there are fears that the Gash River could overflow into the town of Kassala.
Flooding has submerged roads and damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, forcing many people to live outdoors along roadsides without access to food, water or sanitation. There is growing concern about outbreaks of deadly waterborne diseases.
UN teams and humanitarian partners are assessing the assistance needed to relocate those affected and are coordinating responses in key areas. Priority needs identified include shelter, food, non-food items, clean water and sanitation.
Preparations in South Sudan
In neighbouring South Sudan, the United Nations and aid partners are supporting government efforts to prepare for what are expected to be the worst floods in about 60 years.
“On the UN side, we aim to assist around 2.4 million of the 3.3 million people expected to be affected by floods from September onwards,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said. speak reporters at a regular press briefing at United Nations Headquarters on Monday.
“The plan is to provide health and nutrition services, as well as shelter and food assistance to those affected,” he added.
He also highlighted the need for additional resources in South Sudan, including to meet the needs of new arrivals fleeing conflict in Sudan. The $1.8 billion humanitarian response plan for the country is only about 31 percent funded at about $552 million.
South Sudan is hosting more than 770,000 refugees who have fled Sudan since April last year, including repatriated South Sudanese.