UN: 150,000 people affected by heavy flooding in Sudan

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that about 150,000 people have been affected by flooding in Sudan.The figure was confirmed by various sources, including the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), the Khartoum State Commission for Voluntary and Humanitarian Work, the Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).In a report released on Sunday, OCHA stated it is “concerned by significant flooding across eight states in Sudan following heavy rains that began in early August.”“More rains are expected in the coming days and the estimated number of affected people is likely to rise further as rains continue and as more information becomes available,” the statement read.Initial reports indicate that a total of 147,000 people were affected: Khartoum 84,000; River Nile 16,000; West Kordofan 12,000; El Gezeira 10,000; North Darfur 8,000; Blue Nile 6,000; Northern 6,000; Red Sea 4,000; South Darfur 1,000.It is too early to determine the full extent of the damage caused by the floods but initial estimates are that at least 26,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, OCHA says.UN agencies and humanitarian partners are coordinating closely with the HAC and SRCS to assess needs and provide rapid assistance to those most severely affected. Initial reports indicate that the most acute needs are for food, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene and health services, the UN agency stated.As an immediate response to the floods, the UN and its partners have provided a range of emergency relief items, including tents, plastic sheeting, blankets, water cans, buckets and mosquito nets from its emergency stockpiles in Khartoum State.The United Nations and its partners have also provided mobile clinics, drinking water, and sanitation services. Other emergency support is currently being mobilised, particularly food, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. They remain committed to assisting flood-affected communities and supporting the Government’s relief efforts throughout Sudan, the statement concluded.As reported by Radio Dabanga over the past week, record rainfall levels followed by flash floods have cost dozens of lives and left many injured throughout Sudan. In a swathe of destruction, thousands of homes, livestock and other property has been lost.Photo: A structure damaged by flooding in El Fasher, North Darfur (Takao/OCHA)Related: Flash floods kill dozens, including children across Darfur (11 August 2013)Darfur displaced lose more than 70 houses to rains, floods (11 August 2013)Darfur deluge kills woman, child, livestock (8 August 2013)Rains, floods cause 11 deaths, many injuries, destruction across Sudan (6 August 2013)Deaths in Sudan top 38 from rains, floods, storms (4 August 2013)‘Record rainfall levels’ in North Darfur destroy 2,000 homes (2 August 2013)