Heavy rain has again caused severe flooding in parts of Sudan, where the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is working to help survivors.

A team made up of delegates from the Sudanese Red Crescent and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been assessing the extent of the disaster and people's needs in White Nile state since 2 September.

According to their initial assessment, an estimated 3,700 households had their houses either completely destroyed or severely damaged by flash floods in White Nile on 31 August.

Devastated

John English, the head of the International Federation's field assessment and coordination team in Sudan, explained that many communities were unprepared for the amount of rain.

"Floods are common in Sudan, but officially this year's rainy season hadn't even started when these floods hit. Flooding on this scale hasn't been seen for 20 years. Whole communities have been devastated-farms, livestock, roads, bridges, latrines, hospitals and schools have been damaged or swept away."

This summer Sudan has been hit with its worst flooding in two decades. More than 300,000 people have been affected and around 100 killed nationwide as the country has been inundated with unprecedented rainfall.

Emergency

In response, the IFRC has launched an emergency appeal so it can provide water, sanitation, basic health care, and shelter and relief items to 140,000 people for the next six months.

The British Red Cross has supported the IFRC's appeal with £30,000 from its Disaster Fund.

Donate to the Disaster Fund

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