HIGHLIGHTS
Heavy rains and flooding affect an estimated 122,000 people across much of Sudan.
Increase in malaria cases reported in Blue Nile State.
Health concerns regarding Acute Jaundice Syndrome and Hepatitis E for IDPs in Sortony, North Darfur.
Two new camps are being constructed for up to 40,000 South Sudanese refugees in East Darfur.
Estimated 122,000 flood-affected people in Sudan
Flooding as a result of heavy rainfall has continued across Sudan, damaging houses and infrastructure and leading to loss of life and productive assets. Some 29 people have been reportedly killed and 122,210 people are estimated to have been affected by flooding across the country since June, according to the Government of Sudan, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and partners. Efforts are ongoing to verify the number of people affected, identify their needs and to compile an overview of the response to date. In 15 of 18 states in Sudan, more than 21,500 houses have reportedly been damaged, of which over 13,000 were completely destroyed, according to government estimates. It is anticipated that flooding will continue throughout the rainy season (mainly from June to September/October), during which flooding usually occurs annually.
According to the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre, rainfall between 1 and 10 July 2016 resulted in improved pasture and foliage, and crop conditions, and replenishment of water resources. However, rainfall also led to flooding and an increase in water-related diseases over the western and central parts of the northern sector of the Greater Horn of Africa.
The government-led National Flood Task Force in coordination with key actors is continuing to monitor the impact of rains and flooding and coordinate the response. Government authorities, local communities and in some areas national and international humanitarian organisations are responding to the needs arising from heavy rains and flooding.
Torrential rain in parts of South Darfur
In South Darfur, up to 13,630 people (2,726 households) may be affected by flooding caused by torrential rain on 4 and 5 August, according to the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), of whom 5,000 are internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in Kalma IDP camp and 2,250 are IDPs in Otash IDP camp. A team comprising of HAC, the governmental Water and Environmental Sanitation Department, the national NGO (NNGO) Rural Development Network and the international NGO (INGO) Norwegian Church Aid conducted a rapid needs assessment in Otash and Kalma camps, which indicates that an estimated 450 shelters were damaged; more information will be available soon. The INGO American Refugee Committee is also conducting an assessment in Kalma IDP camp.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) to respond to the needs of flood-affected communities in Um Zaeifa village, 40 km west of Nyala, South Darfur, where 106 houses were reportedly damaged, 194 were completely destroyed and the health facility was also damaged and is currently unable to function. WHO has provided primary health kits, chlorine for water treatment and mosquito nets, as well as supporting vector control activities. WHO and the SMoH established a local task force to address needs in the area and further assessments are ongoing; more information will be available soon.