SUDAN - FLOOD RESPONSE IN NORTHERN SUDAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001086 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA HESS, DLILLIE, JMAYER, AND AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: SUDAN - FLOOD RESPONSE IN NORTHERN SUDAN KHARTOUM 00001086 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Summary: In July, unseasonably heavy rains and subsequent flooding have affected more than 28,000 households in Khartoum, Northern Kordofan, White Nile, Kassala, and Blue Nile states in northern Sudan, according to Sudanese government officials and humanitarian organizations. Government agencies are coordinating with the humanitarian community and have formed state-level emergency committees to organize the humanitarian response. To date, these agencies are working to meet needs, which have not surpassed current stocks and capacity to respond. USAID and partners are monitoring the situation and are prepared to mobilize rapidly to provide additional assistance if necessary. End summary. -------------- -- GOVERNMENT AND HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES RESPONDING -------------- -- ¶2. Heavy rains since July 7 have affected 10,900 households in the Khartoum area, according to USAID and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). On July 11, teams of USAID, U.N., NGO, and Khartoum State representatives assessed rain-related damage in Jebel Aulia and Mayo internally displaced person (IDP) camps and the Omdawaban and Elafon neighborhoods of Khartoum. In Jebel Aulia, approximately 5,200 households were affected; in Mayo, approximately 1,250 households were affected; and on the eastern bank of the Blue Nile River in Omdawaban and Elafon, 4,450 households were affected. Needs vary by area and include shelter materials, mosquito nets, blankets, food, and anti-malarial medication. In Omdawaban and Elafon, Sudanese Civil Defense has provided 300 tents, 9 metric tons (MT) of sorghum, and additional food commodities valued at USD 10,000. USAID and partners are awaiting the final results of the July 11 assessment to determine whether to provide additional assistance. USAID partner CARE is prepared to provide emergency food commodities. Additionally, in coordination with the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the U.N. Joint Logistics Center (UNJLC),CARE is preparing to provide relief supplies in Jebel Aulia and Mayo IDP camps. ¶3. In Northern Kordofan State, conflicting reports indicate varying levels of damage in six locations: Shieken, Um Rwaba, Sodari, En-Nihud, Bara, and Gabrat el Shiekh. A U.N. report states that 648 houses are destroyed and 700 others are damaged; however, the same report states that more than 12,000 households are affected. The federal and state governments have provided 1,000 plastic sheets, 100 tents, 500 blankets, and 1,000 sacks of sorghum in each of the six locations, the U.N. reported. As the Northern Kordofan capital, El Obeid, is a key logistical hub for the country's relief operation, many supplies including food aid commodities are available within the state. ¶4. In White Nile State, USAID partner Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) reported that nearly 1,600 houses have been destroyed and nearly 1,000 additional households have sustained damage in Rabak, Kosti, and Tendelti towns due to heavy rains since June 30. ADRA, other humanitarian agencies, and the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) are providing household supplies, food, and shelter materials to 1,000 affected families in the state. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) is prepared to provide assistance pending completion of a second assessment in the area. USAID staff report that these agencies appear to be adequately meeting the needs of the flood-affected population in White Nile State. ¶5. In Kassala State, heavy rains and flooding since July 5 have affected approximately 3,560 households, according to USAID partners. The most affected area is Aroma town, 50 km north of Kassala town, according to the U.N. Resident Coordinator's Office. An interagency assessment on July 11 and 12 found the town severely damaged, and a slow government response coupled with continued rains in this rural area has raised possibility of a relocation of all 8,000 town residents. As an interim measure, the NGO GOAL has distributed 1,000 plastic sheets, 1,500 water containers, and 3,000 sandbags to families in Aroma. USAID partner the International Rescue Committee reported that 1,680 homes were damaged or destroyed in Kassala town, and 274 homes were destroyed in rural areas, including 237 in Togli village. GOAL has distributed plastic sheeting and relief supplies to 150 households in Kassala town. UNICEF is replenishing supplies in its Kassala warehouse to respond to additional needs in the state. WFP is providing a 15-day emergency ration to affected families in rural areas and conducting an assessment to determine additional needs. KHARTOUM 00001086 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. In Blue Nile State, heavy rains have affected 1,355 households in Tadamon and Geissan towns, according to U.N. agencies. Government and humanitarian organizations have provided food aid, supplies, and 3,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to affected families. The U.N. Mission in Sudan is providing a helicopter for aerial assessments on July 13, as poor road conditions do not permit overland travel to affected areas of the state. -------------- OUTLOOK -------------- ¶7. Intensive rainfall between 50 and 175 millimeters in the Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands and projected heavy rains in Gedaref and Kassala states in the coming days are expected to cause the level of the Gash River to rise, potentially affecting Kassala town and Tokar, Red Sea State. As of July 10, the Blue Nile water level was 1.75 meters below flooding level in Khartoum, according to the GNU HAC. Government officials are concerned because the Blue Nile River is currently above the water level recorded on the same dates in 1988, when devastating floods occurred. ¶8. U.N. and NGO partners report that the government and humanitarian community are currently meeting needs. The GNU HAC is issuing a regular Flood Watch Update and has requested a coordinated humanitarian response throughout the rainy season, which typically lasts until September in northern Sudan. State-level committees are meeting to ensure a coordinated response at the local level. USAID is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond should additional assistance be necessary. FERNANDEZ