Floods in the Sudan: Progress Report # 03 - 26 Aug 2007

Headlines

- Over $ 13.5 million secured for the response, but remaining needs greater. Flash Appeal to be launched.

- Over 3.5 million could be at risk, in the event of outbreaks of waterborne and vector-borne epidemics.

- 810 suspected cases of AWD reported since 19 April, leading to 57 known deaths.

- UNICEF and partners have so far provided access to chlorinated water to over 1.6 million flood victims.

Damage and homelessness

Over 410,000 persons have been directly affected so far, meaning total or partial loss of their homes, essential household goods, or food stocks. At least 200,000 of them are homeless.

Based on available information, it is estimated that approximately 300,000 persons are either displaced without access to a water system, or have had their water system or latrines damaged by the floods.

Funding

A total of US$ 13.5 million has so far been secured through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the local Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF), plus over US$ 1 million from individual donor countries. However, unmet requirements are more than the amount already secured.

A Flash Appeal, asking the international community to fund remaining needs, will be launched on Tuesday 28 August, simultaneously in Khartoum, New York, and Geneva.

Needs and response by sector

Food Security and Livelihoods

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in support of the veterinary department of the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) in Red Sea State, conducted a disease survey. Results of the survey revealed an increase in the incidence of 'tick-borne' diseases among all animal species. The FAO responded with the allocation of 25% of its drug stock for the response in the state.

Health and Nutrition

It is estimated that approximately 3.5 million persons affected by the floods are at risks of disease outbreaks, due to their lack of access to safe water and to sanitation services.

Outbreaks of waterborne diseases have been reported in the eastern states of Gedaref and Kassala. From 19 April to date, 810 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) have been reported, leading to 57 known deaths, implying a case fatality rate (CFR) of 7.04%.

In order to prepare to potential outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), has pre-positioned insecticides in all flood-affected areas. The training of local populations on vector control has also started, and 65% of the targeted individuals have already completed their training.

Non-Food Items (NFIs) and Emergency Shelter

In northern Sudan, through the 'Common Pipeline' operation of the United Nations and partners, NFIs continue to be distributed in Kassala, Port Sudan, Sennar, Tokar, and White Nile State, to an estimated 8,000 households who are still in need of assistance. Prior to this current group, more than 30,000 households had already received badly needed NFIs through the operation.

Contingency stocks of NFIs are currently available in the states of Blue Nile, Kassala, Khartoum, and North Kordofan. The NFI 'Common Pipeline' operation is currently procuring additional stocks to respond to future flooding, thanks to the funds received through the CERF and the CHF.

Water and Sanitation

To date, UNICEF and partners have provided chlorinated water access to an estimated 1.6 million flood victims in Abyei, Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, and Northern Kordofan.

In Khartoum Sate, the State Water Corporation (SWC), with UNICEF support, is continuously chlorinating 175 water sources, to serve half a million persons.

In Kassala State, approximately 100,000 litres of drinking water is produced every day, and distributed to six emergency delivery points between Kassala and Aroma, benefiting 6,000 persons.

In Gedaref, hygiene promotion and the distribution of basic hygiene kits have reached approximately 100,000 persons in flood-affected areas.

If you have inputs for the next edition, or questions and comments on this one, please contact: Maurizio Giuliano, Public Information Officer, United Nations, Khartoum, Sudan, Email: giuliano@un.org, Tel: +249-91-2174454 Nahla Zarroug, Information Analyst, United Nations, Khartoum, Sudan, Email: zarroug@un.org, Telephone: +249-9-12160065