Floods Wreak Havoc in Eastern Sudan, Displacing Thousands
Heavy rains and floods have devastated parts of Kassala province in eastern Sudan, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in a state of crisis. The UN has reported that over 10,000 IDPs, who fled fighting in neighboring Sennar state, have been affected, with many more households impacted in other provinces.
The flooding has inundated roads, damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, and forced many IDPs to live in the open along roadsides without access to basic necessities like food, water, and sanitation. The situation is particularly dire for those living in refugee camps, where around 400 shelters have been damaged in Shagarab and Wad Sherifye.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April last year, has already displaced over 10 million people, including 2.1 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries. The decimation of livelihoods and destruction of crops has raised grave concerns about a looming famine.
UN teams and humanitarian partners are working to assess the support needed to relocate those affected and are coordinating responses in key sectors. Priority needs include shelter, food, non-food items, and safe water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, in neighboring South Sudan, the UN is preparing for what is expected to be the worst flooding in about 60 years. The organization aims to assist 2.4 million people out of the 3.3 million projected to be impacted by the floods, providing health and nutrition services, shelter, and food assistance. However, the $1.8 billion humanitarian response plan for the country is only 31% funded, highlighting the need for additional resources.
The crisis in South Sudan is further complicated by the influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan, with over 770,000 people seeking refuge in the country since April last year, including South Sudanese returnees.
