The conflict, which broke out in April last year between rival military forces. – The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have displaced more than 12 million people, both within Sudan and across borders.
“Heavy rains and floods have affected tens of thousands of people across Sudan.causing additional displacement, injury and death,” United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees spokeswoman Olga Sarrado told reporters at a regular press conference at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
Over the past two weeks, refugees in the eastern province of Kassala have been affected by severe flooding, including many families who recently arrived after fleeing violence in Sennar state and are taking shelter in five gathering sites and reception centers.
Moved many times
Ms Sarrado told reporters that those displaced had been forced to move three or four times since the conflict began.
“They have lost all their belongings, including food rations, and are facing significant challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases,” she said.
“[We] and our partners are on the ground working to support the most vulnerable.“Together with state authorities, we have identified new land to set up temporary shelters for affected families,” she added.
Children are at highest risk
Meanwhile, children continue to be at greatest risk. In addition to the current instability and displacement, their futures are also at stake.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 18 million children in Sudan do not go to school.
Sheldon Yett, the new Representative of Sudan to UNICEF, spoke to United Nations News from Port Sudan, stressed that classes, even when taught remotely, are still important.
“It provides a place, a sense of normalcy for children, a place for them to meet friends, peers, to feel at home.. It is important that we get schools up and running, schools reopened, schools that are actually used for educational purposes, not for displacement centers, but for learning. And we have a lot of work to do on that,” he said.
“This is the biggest displacement crisis in the world right now. Many schools are taking in displaced people. We need to make sure those schools are open again for children.“ .
Listen to the full interview below
Flood situation
The situation is particularly dire in Shagarab refugee camp, where more than 400 shelters have been destroyed, further exacerbating the already vulnerable population, according to UNHCR.
As the rain continues, agency teams are preparing for further impacts in other states, including Gedaref, White Nile and Blue Nile, prepping vital relief items and shelter kits, cleaning drainage systems and building protective levees.
However, in the war-torn Darfur region, flooding is severely hampering aid agencies’ ability to reach people in need, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
Livelihoods devastated
Conflict in Sudan has devastated crops and livelihoods, while the climate crisis continues to threaten people with displacement. Flooded land makes farming impossible, exacerbating hunger in areas already ravaged by drought and violence.
In view of the escalating crisis, UNHCR has launched a regional flood alert nearly $40 million to assist and protect 5.6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities across East Africa, including Sudan.
However, to date, only $5 million of the required funds have been secured.
