Sudan Humanitarian Bulletin Issue 16 | 20 August – 23 September 2018 [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS

• About 195,000 people in 15 states have been affected by heavy rains and flash floods, HAC reports.

• In East Jebel Marra, over 380 people affected by a landslide receive assistance.

• UNMAS to focus on demining activities in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, the most landmine-contaminated states in Sudan.

• South Sudanese refugees are ready to return to South Sudan if they see a change in the situation on the ground and feel a strong commitment to peace by all parties.

FIGURES 2018

# people in need in Sudan (2018 HNO) 5.5 million

# people in need in Darfur (2018 HNO) 3.1 million

GAM caseload (2018 HNO) 2.3 million

South Sudanese refugees – total Pre-2013 Post-2013 761,889 352,212 409,677 (UNHCR 15 Sept 2018)

Other refugees and asylum seekers UNHCR (31 Aug 2018) 158,959

FUNDING

344.4 million US$ received in 2018 34.2% funded FTS (23 Sept 2018)

Over 24,000 people affected by heavy rains and flash floods in Gedaref State

In Gedaref State, an estimated 24,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and flash floods in El Faw, El Mafaza and El Hawatah areas. An inter-agency mission visited the state between 4-6 September to assess the needs of people in the three areas. El Faw and El Mafaza areas are prone to flooding as they are in low-lying areas and have experienced flooding in 2013 and 2017 when the Alrahad River and its tributaries burst their banks.

In the areas visited, flood waters have affected basic services and infrastructure, including water, sanitation, livelihood, education and health services. Some health facilities sustained damage but are able to function and provide main services. However, physical access to some health centres is difficult due to poor road conditions. The affected people were found to be consuming water straight from the canal, which is polluted with flood waters and poses a serious health hazard. Sanitation conditions are also poor—especially with the collapse of many household latrines—and pose a health concern such as potential contamination of water sources and water-borne diseases.

About 52 per cent of the cultivated land in the affected areas has become water logged, impacting the livelihoods of farmers and farmworkers who depend on farming for their income. Combined with the increase in prices for basic commodities—due to the current economic conditions—the affected people are finding it hard to buy the most basic supplies. Traders attribute the increase in prices due to the massive surge in transport costs for both passengers and goods. For example, the fare from El Faw town to a nearby village has reportedly quadrupled, from 30 to 130 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)— equivalent to US$ 1.7 and $7.22 respectively.

Government and civil society respond to the needs of flood-affected people The State Government in Gedaref—in partnership with the Civil Defense Forces, volunteers from the SRCS and other civil society organizations—have been responding to meet the needs and mitigating the impact of the floods in the state. The response includes establishing temporary flood defences to protect properties; deploying equipment to assist with water drainage; providing medicine; distributing food items (sorghum)—enough for two days; deploying a team of engineers and workers to fix damaged roads end ensure accessibility; dispatching a helicopter to assist with response efforts in difficult to reach areas; and instructing providers of basic services to work in 24-hour shifts.

An inter-agency assessment mission requested by the Gedaref State authorities with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), line ministries and local authorities found out that about 24,000 people were affected by floods in Gedaref. Overall, 195,000 people in 15 of Sudan’s 18 states have been affected by heavy rains and flash floods as of 19 September, according to the Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). The worst affected states are Kassala (47,500 people), Gedaref and West Kordofan (24,000 people).

There were also distributions made by Federal HAC, including 500 plastic sheets, 500 sleeping mats, 3,000 kg of lentils and 150 cartons of cooking oil. The State Government distributed 20 tents, 1,200 mosquito nets and 600 jerry cans.

The State Ministry of Health (SMoH) has provided chlorine for the treatment of water at the household level, but the quantities are insufficient to meet all needs. There are critical gaps in supplies of emergency shelter and essential household supplies that need to be addressed urgently, according to the mission findings. Food assistance is also required. A Floods Task Force Forum (FTF) meeting will be held soon to collectively discuss the latest updates, response and how to mitigate gaps.