According to the Sudan Metrological Authority (SMA), rainfall in Sudan has been persistently above average throughout most of the 2019 season, and the season continued into October past its normal end in September, reports FEWS NET. Intensive heavy rains during August and September resulted in above-average flooding and waterlogging in many of the major flood-prone zones of Sudan.

This year, heavy rainfall and flash floods have affected more than 426,000 people—almost twice the number of people affected by floods last year—across 17 states and the Abyei Area, according to the Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and partners. Reports indicate that 78 people have died and 89 injured due to the floods. HAC also reports that 49,535 homes have been destroyed and 35,725 damaged. Over 25,500 latrines, 37 health facilities, 1,263 education facilities and 10 water facilities have also been damaged. The most affected states were White Nile State (147,240) people affected, Kassala (40,435), Khartoum (32,060), West Kordofan (28,215) and North Darfur (22,740). Overflowing riverbanks had significant effect Khartoum, Gezira, Sennar and White Nile states.

Stagnant water caused by the heavy rains and floods became a breeding ground for water-borne and vector-borne disease. Cholera (335 cases), dengue (1,901 cases), rift valley fever (299 cases), and chikungunya (83 cases) outbreaks have been reported across the country.

In response to the floods, the national Flood Task Force (FTF) was activated and met regularly. The taskforce was chaired by Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and co-chaired by OCHA with support from the steering committee, comprising representatives of HAC, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), Civil Defence and OCHA. The core function of the FTF was to facilitate and coordinate flood hazards; emergency preparedness and response; enhance coordination efforts between the central flood task force and relevant flood emergency preparedness and response structures at the state level; ensure existence of mechanisms for information sharing and early warning massages; and to help address any overarching issues that could not be addressed at state level.

Response

Humanitarian needs were identified through inter-agency assessments, allowing government authorities, national and international NGOs, and UN agencies to respond promptly. In addition, assistance arrived from abroad from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Kenya and Turkey. The estimated response—based on reported interventions by sector—include emergency shelter and household supplies (58%); water, sanitation and hygiene (56%); food (67%) and nutrition (13%).

For more information, see our interactive map for a summary of floods by state.