Floods in Abyei affect 50,000

Difficult humanitarian conditions prevail in the region

Over 50,000 people have been left homeless by recent floods in Abyei region, residents told Radio Dabanga on Sunday.Heavy rains during the past two days, followed by floods from areas north of Bahr el Ghazal have destroyed nearly all houses in Abyei. The city market in Abyei has been completely washed away along with the bridge that connects the east of the city to the west over the river.

The rains and floods have caused difficult humanitarian conditions and forced many to take shelter in schools and hospitals in the region. Authorities in the region have failed to provide any assistance despite the heavy presence of armed forces.

Moreover, the United Nations (UN) warned of a possible famine because of damage to the crops.

South Darfur also affected

Meanwhile, a resident of Abu Karnica told Radio Dabanga that nearly 300 families have been rendered homeless because of Saturday’s heavy rains in South Darfur.

The rains that lasted nearly six hours are expected to cause a health disaster in the region, according to the resident Ahmed Tyndale.

The rains have led to the collapse of 300 houses and 250 shops in Abu Karnica’s market. The estimated loss caused by the floods is 2 million Sudanese pounds. The residents have demanded the federal government and international organizations to accelerate relief for those affected by the disaster.