World Food Programme (WFP) expands assistance to families struggling in flood-devastated regions of Sudan (17.09.2020)

The flooding is the worst Sudan has seen in nearly a century.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, September 17, 2020 – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its emergency food assistance to reach nearly 160,000 people hit by devastating floods that have affected nine states of Sudan.

“Rains and floods have been much worse than anyone could have anticipated, causing a national disaster,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Sudan, Hameed Nuru ”People have lost their homes, farmlands, schools and loved ones. Some of these people have lost everything.”

The flooding is the worst Sudan has seen in nearly a century. According to the Government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, 650,000 people have been affected since the start of the rains in mid-July.

WFP provided a first round of emergency food assistance to 7,200 people and distributions for 40,000 people are currently ongoing.  “WFP is working tirelessly with the Government of Sudan and partners to get food out to the affected people. Together, we are trying to scale up the number of people reached every day,” he added.

WFP is planning to distribute two-week rations to flood-affected people in Khartoum, East and North Darfur, White Nile, North and West Kordofan, Red Sea, Sennar, and Kassala. As more assessments are underway, the number of flood-affected people requiring food assistance is likely to increase.

With the heavy rains making access to affected areas difficult, WFP has facilitated rapid needs assessments and delivery of assistance using the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). Since the start of flood season, WFP has participated in some 20 assessment missions to guide interventions and identify people who are most in need. WFP has transported three metric tons of food supplies provided by the government to flood-affected people in Bout town in Blue Nile state.

The devastating floods come at a time when hunger levels remain alarmingly high in Sudan with increased and protracted displacement, economic decline and inflation, and high food price hikes, exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, WFP continues to provide emergency food assistance to ensure critical support reach the people in need.

“WFP is also working to implement all necessary precautions during distributions to minimize the risk of contacting or spreading COVID-19 and ensure the safety of staff and the people we serve,” Nuru said.

WFP’s flood response to date has been made possible by the generosity of donors, including German Federal Foreign Office, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, and the United States Agency for International Development.

African Union (AU): Press Release on Sudan (04.09.2020)

Sudan: UN agencies support flood response in Sudan but warn aid stocks ‘rapidly’ depleting (02.09.2020)

Across Sudan, some 37,000 homes were destroyed in the floods, forcing families to seek shelter with relatives and host communities.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 2, 2020 – The UN and its partners are supporting the Sudanese Government as it responds to recent severe flooding, which has killed 90 people and affected 380,000 others, the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Tuesday.

The flooding was triggered by heavy seasonal rains, mainly in neighbouring Ethiopia, which caused the Nile River to rise to nearly 17.5 metres (roughly 57 feet) this past weekend: the highest level in 100 years, according to the authorities.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke said the government has declared a state of emergency in Khartoum state alone, where more than 21,000 people have been affected by flooding since the end of July.

Homes destroyed, water contaminated

Across Sudan, some 37,000 homes were destroyed in the floods, forcing families to seek shelter with relatives and host communities. Another 39,000 houses have been damaged, along with 34 schools and nearly 2,700 health facilities.

“Access to clean water – critical in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic – has also been affected”, said Mr. Laerke, speaking from Geneva. “Some 2,000 water sources are contaminated or non-functional, according to initial assessments.”

The flooding has also impacted an estimated 125,000 refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), the UN refugee agency, UNHCR added.

Spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said rains have been particularly heavy in North Darfur state, leaving an estimated 35,000 IDPs, locals and refugees in need of help, where 15 people have died and a further 23 have gone missing.

“In Khartoum’s ‘Open Areas’ on the outskirts of the city, many South Sudanese refugees were living in make-shift homes and are in dire need of shelter,” she said.

“UNHCR is deeply saddened at the death of an 18-month old refugee girl who drowned in a collapsed latrine.”

Stockpiles rapidly dwindling

The UN and humanitarian partners are supporting national response with emergency shelter and household supplies, together with water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, food, health services and vector control.

Mr. Laerke reported that they were able to respond quickly as supplies to meet the needs of 250,000 people had been pre-positioned before the rains started.

However, with stocks “being depleted rapidly”, OCHA is calling for wider support from the international community as a $1.6 billion humanitarian plan for Sudan is less than 44 per cent funded.

IGAD Commends the Sudan Peace Agreement (01.09.2020)

Sudan: Violence in Eastern Sudan – Kassala and Red Sea – Flash Update No. 2 (27.08.2020)

Sudan: COVID-19, flooding and pockets of violence continue to drive humanitarian needs in Sudan (07.08.2020)

Since the start of the pandemic, over 36,000 children in White Nile received psychosocial support to deal with stress caused by COVID-19.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, August 7, 2020 – Number of COVID-19 transmissions continue to increase in Sudan. Nearly 11,800 people had contracted the virus, including 763 who died from the disease, as of 3 August.

Since the start of the pandemic, over 36,000 children in White Nile received psychosocial support to deal with stress caused by COVID-19.

Meanwhile, humanitarians and the Government are providing life-saving assistance to people who lost their houses, food and livelihoods during the recent floods across the country. More than 50,000 people have been affected so far.

Aid organizations are also assisting millions of people across Sudan in a monthly basis, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, insecurity and the economic crisis.

Al-Bashir: The Legends of the Secret Skulls

There is revelations now of 28 deceased army officers found in Omdurman from a foiled coup in 1990. This is evidence of extra judicial killings done by the state under President Omar Al-Bashir. A man who ruled with an iron-fist since 30th June 1989 until 11th April 2019. That is 30 years in power and he used military means to stay there.

It is not shocking that its extra judicial killings done during the Al-Bashir regime. He has the secret police against his enemies. Used militias like Janjaweed and Rapid Support Force (RSF) to kill three tribes in Darfur for years. Also other usage of the military to control the state.

From the years of government militia attacks in Darfur, Blue Nile State and South Kordofan. Where there been genocidal missions with estimated murder between 300,000 to 400,000 citizens. Also, up to 3 million internally displaced persons.

Who knows how many people have died during custody or was arbitrary arrested during the reign of Al-Bashir. There are surely plenty more unanswered cases during the 30 years of power. The President who used all means to stay in power. A man who was bloodthirsty, who used paramilitary groups and intelligence organizations to undermine the public.

Therefore, a mere 28 decomposing bodies of former army officials, who allegedly conspired to overthrow Al-Bashir in 1990. There might be plenty of more hidden skulls from the time that is unaccounted for and from events hidden from the public. We can only imagine what else is 6 feet under.

President Al-Bashir is not only wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide in Darfur. He is also charged with grand corruption and other charges. Now, only a prosecutor is charging him for the murder of these 28 former army officials.

A President who has killed for living. 28 army officials is nothing. For the families of the deceased its a matter of justice for them. However, all the ills and crimes against humanity during his day. We can just wonder if there are more secret skulls.

It is like a horrific movie, the Legends of Secret Skulls. Surely, the President knows what he has done and doesn’t want to accountability for his actions. Some of the acts have been revealed, but there is more to come.

However, we also know that plenty of his comrades are still in-charge and running vital parts the Sovereign Council in Sudan. They are not willing to trade it all, they will be implicated too. These people are not asking for that and will not be charged themselves.

That’s why there is likely more skulls we don’t know about, but was ordered dead during the reign of Al-Bashir. With time these stories will be revealed and it will be more than 28 bodies unaccounted for. Peace.

Sudan: US$ 283 million needed to support people affected by COVID-19 (19.07.2020)

Coronavirus – Sudan: More than 350,000 people received humanitarian assistance in previously inaccessible areas of South Darfur (09.07.2020)

Other areas of Jebel Marra in Central and South Darfur States are already receiving food, emergency shelter, non-food supplies, health, nutrition, WASH and education services.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 9 – United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have provided life-assistance to about 350,000 people in previously inaccessible parts of the Jebel Marra area, in South Darfur, over the past nine months, overcoming important challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, humanitarians reached different communities for the first time in 10 years, during a need’s assessment carried out at the end of June in the area. According to the preliminary findings of the studies, hundreds of thousands of people across several communities in the region have little or no access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation products, and also lack health, nutrition, education and protection services.

The last mission, led by OCHA, could assess the situation in South Jebel Marra locality, on the boundary between Government-controlled and Sudan Liberation Army – Abdel Wahid (SLA/AW)-controlled areas. According to the community leaders, there are about 127,000 people in Gorlanbang Village alone, including 11,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from surrounding villages and 9,400 returnees. The IDP community reported that they have not been able to travel to their home villages since 2017 due to security concerns. Fears of sexual gender-based violence also prevents women from going to their farms or collecting firewood.

In North and West Jebel Marra localities, IOM and other humanitarian partners are completing the registration of people in need and providing emergency humanitarian needs assistance. Other areas of Jebel Marra in Central and South Darfur States are already receiving food, emergency shelter, non-food supplies, health, nutrition, WASH and education services.

The recent missions and assistance provided have been possible following important progress made since the last quarter of 2019 to facilitate humanitarian access to inaccessible communities in Darfur, with support from the Government, non-state actors and the African Union – United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

Sudan: SPLM/A-N – Extension of the Cessation of Hostilities (01.07.2020)