HIGHLIGHTS

• An estimated 491,100 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in 63 localities across 15 states in Sudan.

• At least 69 people have been killed and another 112 injured by the heavy rains and flooding.

• About 35,520 homes have been destroyed and nearly 45,000 homes have been damaged.

• The cholera outbreak has been on the rise, exacerbated by the flooding and subsequent stagnant flood waters.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

An estimated 491,100 people (88,600 families) have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in 63 localities across 15 states in Sudan since the onset of rains in June, according to the Sudan Floods Dashboard. This includes an estimated 143,200 people who have been displaced. The most affected states are North Darfur (122,680 people), Red Sea (75,118 people), Northern (68,164 people), South Darfur (62,130 people), and River Nile (58,825 people). The Sudan floods dashboard reports that 69 people have been killed and 112 people have been injured; 35,518 homes have been destroyed; and 44,993 homes have been damaged due to the heavy rains and flooding. Actual numbers are likely much higher.

The risk of disease outbreaks due to the flooding and subsequent stagnant flood waters is high across affected states and cholera cases have been on the rise. The Sudan Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) declared on 12 August 2024 a cholera outbreak after a new wave of cases had been reported since 22 July 2024. Between 22 July and 1 September, about 2,900 cases of cholera have been reported, with 112 associated deaths – case fatality rate (CFR) of 3.9 per cent – from five states, including Kassala (1,703 cases), Gedaref (699), River Nile (408), Aj Jazirah (65), and Khartoum (20), all of which have been affected by floods.

In Northern State, more than 68,190 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in all seven localities of Ad Dabbah, Al Burgaig, Al Golid, Delgo, Dongola, Halfa, and Merowe, according to the Sudan Floods Dashboard. About 4,755 homes have been destroyed and over 8,280 homes have been damaged. Reportedly, 21 people were killed and 103 people were injured by the flooding. In addition, numerous public facilities and farms were affected and some roads became impassable.

In South Darfur State, 62,130 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding, according to the Sudan Floods Dashboard. About 1,311 homes have been destroyed and 9,402 homes have been damaged. The most affected localities are Rehaid Albirdi, Ed Al Fursan, Tulus (Sergaila), Buram, Katila and As Sunta. According to the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), about 340 feddans (about 1.43 square kilometers) of farmland have been washed away, destroying crops. A state level high committee, including SRCS, was established to facilitate humanitarian assistance in the affected areas. The committee will monitor the situation during the rainy season, track the impact of heavy rains and floods, coordinate response with partners, and mobilize resources. The most affected localities are Rehaid Albirdi, Ed Al Fursan, Tulus (Sergaila), Buram, Katila and As Sunta. The priority needs in the state are water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), non-food items (NFIs), food and medical supplies.

Meanwhile, the floods have affected an estimated 124,000 people in parts of Darfur where about 230,700 people are at risk of famine between June and September 2024, according to the latest data from the Sudan Floods Dashboard, and the IPC June 2024 update. In Kutum and Tawila in North Darfur, 42,600 people have been affected by the floods, while the IPC reported 25,800 people in these two localities are going through IPC 5 (Catastrophe) and are at risk of famine. In four localities in Central Darfur – Azum, Bendasi, Wadi Salih and Zalingei - where there are 28,500 people at risk of famine, about 26,200 people have been affected by floods in the three localities. About 24,600 people have been affected by floods in Al Fasher locality where about 47,000 people are at risk of famine and famine conditions are prevalent in Zamzam IDP camp, according to IPC Famine Review Committee. About 12,000 people have been affected in West Darfur’s Ag Geneina, Kereneik and Sirba localities where about 35,800 people are at risk of famine. In South Darfur, about 1,200 people in Al Wihda locality were affected by rains and floods; according to IPC, 18,700 people are at risk of famine in Al Wihda, Mershing, Nitega and Shattaya in South Darfur.

In Kassala State, nearly 15,100 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in Halfa Aj Jadeedah, Madeinat Kassala, Reifi Aroma, Reifi Gharb Kassala, Reifi Kassala, and Reifi Khashm Elgirba localities, according to the Sudan Floods Dashboard. About 664 homes have been destroyed and another 213 have been damaged. Reportedly, eight people were killed and seven people were injured. The heavy rains and flooding also cut off 13 villages, leaving at least 5,000 people inaccessible. The most affected villages are the ones overlooking the Gash River or canals, while villages such as Makalay, Tindilay, and Dagien are inaccessible in Aroma locality. In North Delta locality, about 9,500 people across 37 villages have been affected.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Humanitarian partners are working with the authorities to respond to the immediate needs of people affected by floods across the country. Despite providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of people affected by floods with temporary shelter, food, NFIs, and access to WASH, health and nutrition services, much more support is required. However, challenges facing humanitarian partners such as poor communications; high inflation and commodity prices; and delays in getting supplies into states due to active conflict, insecurity, poor roads, and flooding have affected response activities across all flood-affected states. This has left many people in dire need of assistance and gaps in humanitarian response.

In Aj Jazirah State, about 500 people (93 families) affected by floods in Al Manaqil locality received NFI kits from the SRCS and the national partners. The organizations also distributed NFI kits to 250 families (about 1,250 people) affected by floods in Al Qurashi locality. Health partners running clinics in Al Manaqil and Al Qurashi provided healthcare services, including 3,075 medical consultations, in August.

In Gedaref State, 1,000 NFI kits have been distributed to people affected by floods in Ar Rahad, Al Guresha, and Al Fao localities, while an additional 500 NFI kits will be distributed in Al Mafaza locality next week. About 150 tents were distributed to people affected by flooding in Al Fao, Al Mafaza, and Ar Rahad localities. The first phase of the Sudan Emergency Response Project has distributed NFIs tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, mosquito nets, kitchen sets and solar-powered lamps) to 1,000 families (benefitting 5,000 people) in Al Qureisha locality. The second phase targets 2,000 families in Al Fashaga locality.

In Kassala State, the SRCS distributed food assistance to about 1,250 people as well as some NFIs however, more is needed. In a gathering site west of the airport in Kassala town—where displaced people from Sennar have been relocated from Alsina’iya school due to flooding—health partners have been providing health services to at least 300 people daily since 18 August. Nutrition partners and the Nutrition Department of State Ministry of Health (SMoH) distributed high-energy biscuits (BP5) to 300 children under the age of five years at the gathering site, which is sufficient to cover their needs for nine days. On 3 September, malnutrition prevention activities were launched at the gathering site. A protection desk has been established at the gathering site, which provides information on services such as legal, medical and psychological support, benefiting about 5,000 people.

In Northern State, humanitarians distributed at least 9,470 food items, 5,000 NFI kits, and 3,592 hygiene and dignity kits across the state, according to the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). However, more humanitarian assistance is needed.

In Abu Hamad locality in River Nile State, WASH partners distributed WASH and nutrition supplies, including chlorination tablets; jerry cans; hygiene kits; soap; plastic slabs for latrines; high energy biscuits; and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), while health partners distributed emergency health supply kits. There are nine health and nutrition centers in the locality that are providing health and nutrition services to people affected by the floods. In addition, people affected by floods in Abu Hamad locality received food, plastic sheets and dignity kits. A humanitarian partner provided 2,000,000 Sudanese Pounds (US$3,325) to Al Takkiya (a local charity kitchen that provides ready meals) to buy food supplies to provide hot meals to the people affected by the floods in the locality. In Barbar locality, 1,000 food baskets were distributed to people affected by floods in the Ubaiydia area.

In South Darfur, humanitarians have carried out awareness-raising sessions, water chlorination, and relocated people from flood areas to safer areas on high ground.

In White Nile State, SRCS and partners relocated 70 families (350 people) from flood-prone areas to the Goz Alsalam gathering site. They also distributed 462 family tents in Aj Jabalain locality; 340 tents in Goz Alsalam gathering site; plastic sheeting in Tendalti locality; and NFI kits in the Joda area. SRCS - in collaboration with Civil Dense Police - started pumping stagnant floodwaters, with 40 out of 623 gathering sites reached so far. In addition, SRCS has backfilled the flooded tarmac road between Alyia and Goz Alsalam gathering site and opened the drench system to remove stagnant water from Khor Ajwal gathering site. Food baskets were distributed to families whose homes were destroyed by heavy rains and flooding in Guli locality.

In North Darfur State, the authorities activated the State High Emergency Committee to oversee the impact of floods, and coordinate response activities across the 18 localities in the state. The SMoH activated the Rainy Season Task Force to tackle the impact of flooding and heavy rain on the health situation. The Task Force planned activities include cleaning campaigns, water drainage, hygiene awareness, and vector control. Due to access challenges and limited resources no humanitarian assistance has been provided to families affected by the floods.

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