The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that the US will allocate US$60 million in additional humanitarian assistance to bring relief to the Sudanese people affected by floods.
The US support will also include life-saving aid, food, shelter, and healthcare assistance. USAID also pledged to deliver drinkable water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies as the flood increased the risk of waterborne diseases. Previously in October, President Donald Trump decided to allocate US$81 million in humanitarian assistance and overall the United States has delivered around US$500 million in aid to Sudan for the fiscal year 2020.
Sudan was hit by record-breaking floods this year with the flooding of the river Nile reaching a level not seen during this century, surpassing the floods of 1946 and 1988 when previous records had been broken. This year the floods have killed over 100 people but have also significantly worsened the standard of living of many Sudanese who were already affected by the civil war that ended in 2018, the effects of climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ending of the civil war, attacks by bandits and ethnic militia still occur.
According to the United Nations, the water flooded about 500 square kilometers in the capital of Khartoum alone and also destroyed crops and killed livestock. OCHA Sudan estimates that 2,000 water sources have been destroyed or become contaminated with scientists arguing that this unprecedented disaster was driven by climate changes. Since July when the floods occurred, 600,000 people have been forced to leave their homes which represents almost 20% of the entire Sudanese population. Furthermore, up to 10 million people are suffering because of food shortages and need urgent assistance.
Aid agencies as well as the Sudanese government have started to distribute seeds for replanting to at least attempt to curb the famine. Apart from the United States, Germany has also decided to support the Sudanese people with Berlin donating €10 million to the United Nations World Food Programme which is planning to provide food to those suffering because of food insecurity and address the most urgent needs of Sudanese society in response to the effects of the flood.
“People affected by the floods need immediate help. We have therefore increased our humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan by a further €10 million,” said Manuel Müller, Germany’s Ambassador to South Sudan.
He added that overall in 2019, Germany contributed humanitarian aid worth €72 million through various United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations working within the country.
Apart from financial aid, some Arab countries have decided to allocate material assistance. The Dubai Humanitarian City, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, sent 100 tonnes of aid in September which included medical equipment and food and the Emirates sent another 100 tonnes of aid by air in October. Since September, Saudi Arabia has sent over 200 tonnes of food and constructions materials to rebuild flooded houses. Sudan also received help from Egypt which sent its neighbour several planes full of humanitarian aid.
