Sudan - Nile River Flooding

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 002107 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JBRAUSE, NSC/AFRICA FOR TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU SUBJECT: Sudan - Nile River Flooding KHARTOUM 00002107 001.2 OF 002 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. Flooding that began in mid-August along the Nile River has affected more than 100,000 people in the northern, central, and eastern regions of Sudan. The most severely affected areas include the towns of Omdurman, Tokar, and Sinnar State. Humanitarian concerns for flood-affected areas include the spread of acute watery diarrhea and cholera, availability of safe drinking water, and shelter. The non-governmental organization (NGO) Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) reported that current water levels in the Blue Nile River are already higher than the 1988 levels that caused severe flooding in Sudan. End summary. -------------- Northern Sudan - Khartoum and Omdurman -------------- ¶2. On August 11 and 12, violent storms in Omdurman town located approximately seven km north of Khartoum, damaged the makeshift shelters of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and affected more than 15,000 IDP households in Omdurman IDP camps and settlements, according to the Government of National Unity (GNU) Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). NGOs reported that the floods affected 10,000 IDP families in Es Salaam camp alone. On August 15, USAID staff joined an inter-agency joint assessment mission to the Omdurman area and reported that the greatest needs include shelter, sanitation, and food. USAID partner CARE has ongoing health and nutrition projects in Es Salaam camp and is currently assessing how to best meet the needs of the flood-affected population in coordination with other NGOs and the Khartoum State Government. Other relief agencies have provided shelter and relief commodities to victims in a coordinated response led by the Khartoum State Government. ¶3. USAID staff conducted a follow-up visit to the affected areas on August 23 and confirmed that distributions of relief supplies and shelter materials were taking place. However, USAID staff noted that additional shelter materials were required to meet the needs of all IDPs in Es Salaam camp and other affected areas. �A;¶4. Flooding in the town of Wad Medani, south of Khartoum in Gezira State, has killed six people and damaged nearby villages, according to SRCS. The banks of the Blue Nile River could possibly overflow causing further damage in the town. Local media reported that the rising waters of the White Nile River destroyed more than 300 houses in the Kalakla area of Khartoum on August 21. -------------- -------------- Eastern and Central Sudan - Sinnar and Red Sea States -------------- -------------- ¶5. Rising levels of the Gash and Baraka rivers in eastern Sudan and the Blue Nile River in several states, especially Sinnar, have displaced entire villages. As of August 20, the flooding from the Blue Nile River had killed several people in Sinnar State and damaged more than 1,600 shelters, according to the GNU HAC. Relief agencies have established twelve camps to aid people displaced from 60 affected villages in Sinnar, according to SRCS. SRCS has provided relief assistance to flood-affected areas in Sinnar. Washed-out roads and bridges have limited access to the flooded areas. ¶6. Working with SRCS, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has appealed for USD 543,000 to provide relief commodities for 3,000 families and plans to send two response teams to affected areas. ¶7. Flooding may have caused a spike in new cases of acute watery diarrhea, with reports of hundreds of new cases, according to SRCS. The U.N. Children's Fund has confirmed cases of cholera in Sinnar State and plans to distribute health kits in cholera-affected areas. The GNU civil defense distributed more than 1,000 tents in affected states and is requesting 3,000 additional tents, as well as blankets, food, generators, and insecticide spraying equipment. ¶8. In Tokar, located south of Port Sudan in Red Sea State, Oxfam reported that flooding from the Baraka River and delta has affected at least 6,000 households. The Sudanese government is trying to strengthen dikes in the area to avert a greater flooding problem. NGOs report that in Tokar the greatest humanitarian needs include shelter materials, sanitation assistance, and the removal of KHARTOUM 00002107 002.2 OF 002 standing water to reduce the spread of disease. USAID partner International Rescue Committee has contributed 80 plastic sheets. Oxfam and the Sudan Sea Ports Corporation are conducting other relief activities. ¶9. Authorities in Kassala town located near the Eritrean border, continue to carefully monitor the flow of the Gash River that originates in the mountains of Eritrea, which can strengthen rapidly under heavy rains. Due to heavy rains upstream, the Algash River rose to high levels during the week of August 14 without causing serious damage. However, further rains could quickly result in additional flooding along the river. USAID partner GOAL has stocked 1,000 family relief kits in preparation for future flooding. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶10. USAID staff have observed that in Khartoum, river levels are high, which could cause widespread flooding in the days ahead. USAID has conducted two assessments to flood-affected IDP camps and settlements in Khartoum State and continues to monitor river levels. USAID staff have coordinated and planned contingency responses with NGO partners in the event that GNU agencies and other local agencies do not have the capacity to respond adequately to this flooding. HUME