he International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued an urgent appeal for almost 2.1 million Swiss francs ($1.65 million USD/ €1.2 million) as Sudan faces the prospect of its worst flood season in almost two decades.

Weeks of unseasonably heavy rain have already caused the Nile River and other seasonal rivers to overflow affecting people across ten of the country's 26 states. With the season expected to run until mid-October, meteorological organizations in the region are predicting that as many as 2.4 million people across 16 states could be affected, with areas in the north and east expected to bear the brunt of the damage.

According to Gunnar Strom, the head of the International Federation's delegation in Sudan, initial assessments show that tens of thousands of people have already had their homes and livelihoods washed away in the growing deluge.

"So far, more than 35,000 homes have been either damaged or destroyed and local authorities believe that 39 people have lost their lives," Strom said. "But we're only at the beginning of the flood season and the forecast looks ominous."

The Sudanese Red Crescent, with support from the International Federation, is aiming to assist 40,000 people in eight states. Funds raised through the appeal will go towards the provision of immediate relief assistance such as plastic sheeting and blankets, health and care activities including the deployment of some mobile health units, and hygiene education and promotion.

However, in light of dramatic rain forecasts, the appeal will also support efforts to prepare communities that are expected to face floods in the coming months.

"Our focus isn't just on helping those who have already lost their homes," said Strom. "Red Crescent volunteers will be mobilized to help people in risk areas to prepare themselves in time."

The International Federation has already released 248,000 Swiss francs ($207,000 USD/ €149,000) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the initial emergency relief efforts of the Sudanese Red Crescent. So far Red Crescent volunteers have distributed more than 1,000 tents, 1,800 plastic sheets and almost 6,000 blankets, as well as chlorine tablets, plastic jugs, water pumps and soap in an effort to combat the inevitable impact that rising water will have on access to clean water and appropriate hygiene.

or further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Omar Valdimarsson, regional information delegate (Nairobi) Tel: + 254 733 632 946 Matthew Cochrane, media officer (Geneva) Tel: +41 79 308 9804/+41 22 730 4426 Media Service Duty Phone (Geneva) Tel. + 41 79 416 38 81

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.