Rain and Floods: Death, Displacement, and Massive Destruction

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Thirty-nine people have been killed, 112 injured, and hundreds of thousands affected by heavy rains and floods across Sudan. Tens of thousands of homes have been completely or partially destroyed, and there has been a widespread outbreak of cholera, along with the spread of scorpions and snakes, according to the United Nations since the onset of the rainy season in June.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported today, Sunday, that at least 317,000 people have been affected by heavy rains and floods across various states, with 118,000 of them forced to flee their homes. Nearly 27,000 houses have been destroyed, and up to 31,240 homes and 190 displaced persons tents have been damaged across 60 areas in 16 states since the rainy season began in June. The actual figures are likely much higher.

The most affected states include North Darfur (76,095 people), followed by River Nile (58,825), Northern State (53,924), and West Darfur (28,230). In Kassala city, the rains damaged 190 tents sheltering about 950 displaced persons at gathering sites. In North Darfur and River Nile states, the floods have led to a widespread proliferation of scorpions and snakes, posing significant risks to communities due to the shortage of antivenom.

In the Red Sea State, the rains have damaged tents, toilets, and sanitation systems, resulting in the loss of food supplies.

In River Nile and Northern State, the floods have displaced thousands, creating critical needs in the health, water, sanitation, and shelter sectors. The widespread spread of scorpions and snakes has posed additional risks to communities due to the lack of antivenom. The floods have also destroyed annual crop stocks, affecting key livelihoods such as agriculture, livestock farming, and daily labor. Additionally, the floods have increased the risk of cyanide contamination from nearby mining areas, endangering human and animal health as well as the environment.

With the increased risk of disease outbreaks due to stagnant floodwaters in the affected states, the Sudanese Ministry of Health has confirmed 556 cases of cholera, with 27 related deaths, in the states of Kassala, Gedaref, Al Jazirah, and Khartoum.