Inter-Agency Rapid Needs Assessment Abu Hamad Locality - River Nile State 11 - 12 August 2024

Background

Severe flooding triggered by torrential rains in early August wreaked havoc in different locations in River Nile state, causing widespread devastation and affecting thousands of people. The flooding in early to mid- August this year is one of the most severe in decades. By the first week of August, the Nile River overflowed and poured out more water into small streams, which later reached out to homesteads alongside the river. People who were settling around the river and streams had to move to higher ground and make emergency settlements as the flood waters covered almost all areas in low land in Abu Hamad locality, River Nile state. According to the executive director of the locality, 34 people were reportedly dead, and 588 were injured due to heavy rains and flooding. The calamity destroyed 5,000 houses, damaged more than 14,000 houses and 32,200 latrines and sanitation facilities, and caused the loss of livestock and crops.

Between 11 and 12 August, an inter-agency rapid needs assessment mission was conducted in Abu Hamad town (about 230 km north of Atbara) and surrounding areas in Abu Hamad locality to assess the impact of the flood and the humanitarian situation of the affected people in the locality. The mission team consisted of UN agencies (OCHA, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, IOM and WFP) and international and national NGOs (Save the Children, IRC, Islamic Relief Agency, Building Foundation International, Jasmar, National Planning Organization, Sudan Family Planning Organization, Muslim Hands UK, Naptaa and LM International), SRCS, the State Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), Water Environmental Sanitation (WES), the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) took part in the assessment.

Objectives

1. To assess the impact of the flood.
2. Assess the humanitarian situation of the affected communities, including urgent gaps.
3. Validate the date of the affected people shared by the authorities/localities.

Methodology

The methods used in the assessment to collect data are focused group discussions with the community leaders, meetings with the local authorities, key informant interviews, and direct observations. Also, house-to-house interviews with flood-affected people were conducted.