We lost every thing. We have been hosted by people here in the northern state after fleeing the war Khartoum, the floods destroyed our hosting family home.

a 50 years old mother of four IDP in northern state, Alburgaig locality

Introduction

Floods in Sudan have had a devastating impact, affecting 491,100 individuals and over 100,000 families across 63 localities in the country. Tragically, the floods have resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people, while 143,000 have been displaced. These floods have exacerbated the already critical humanitarian situation, with many families losing their homes and livelihoods. The widespread destruction has left a significant portion of the population in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water, and medical assistance. More than 128,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed, further complicating the situation. The floods have affected an estimated 124,000 people in areas where about 230,700 are at risk of famine between June and September 2024.

The floods have not only displaced thousands but also led to injuries and deaths. In Kassala state alone, over eleven thousand people, including refugees and local communities, have been severely impacted. The destruction of infrastructure, including homes and essential services, has left many without shelter, clean water, or access to healthcare.

Darfur

The recent floods in Darfur have had a severe impact on the region, exacerbating the already challenging humanitarian situation. The poor roads and the existing obstacles of access for aid is hampering the response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region. The continuation of fighting is adding to these challenges. Here’s an overview of the situation:

  • North Darfur: Approximately 76,095 people have been affected by the floods. The flooding has caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, leaving many without shelter and basic necessities. On September 3rd, local volunteers reported the death of 5 displaced people in IDPs cams in the state, and the injury of 30 people in result of houses collapsed in the flood.
  • West Darfur: Around 28,230 people have been impacted. The floods have destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents.
  • South Darfur: Significant numbers of people have been affected, with widespread damage to homes and public facilities.
  • Central Darfur: The floods have impacted over 41,747 people, causing severe disruptions to daily life and access to essential services.
  • East Darfur: The region has also experienced substantial flooding, affecting numerous communities and infrastructure.

Northern State

The affected population numbers approximately 53,924 people. The floods have caused extensive damage to homes, roads, and public facilities. Many homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving thousands of people without shelter, mostly internally displaced persons (IDPs) from other war zones in Sudan. The flooding has led to widespread scorpion and snake infestations, posing serious health risks. The shortage of venom serum has further complicated the situation, making it difficult to treat bites effectively. At least 31 fatalities were reported, including deaths of children from scorpion bites. The floods have damaged agricultural lands, affecting food production and leading to food shortages in the region. Another impact of this flood is on the agricultural season; farmers will suffer great losses due to the impact of the heavy rains on the date harvesting season, which is the essential source of income for most residents of the rural population of the state.

Eastern States

Eastern Sudan has been grappling with severe flooding, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The floods have affected thousands of people, destroying homes, displacing families, and worsening the plight of communities already suffering from ongoing conflicts.

Since the onset of the rainy season in June, over 32,370 people have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in eastern Sudan. The regions most impacted include Kassala, Red Sea, and Gedaref states. Many of those affected had already fled recent hostilities in Sennar State, adding another layer of complexity to their struggles.

The floods have not only displaced thousands but also led to injuries and deaths. In Kassala state alone, over eleven thousand people, including refugees and local communities, have been severely impacted. The destruction of infrastructure, including homes and essential services, has left many without shelter, clean water, or access to healthcare.

Collapse of Arbaat Dam

A significant factor worsening the situation was the collapse of the Arba’at Dam, which led to the destruction of around 20 villages and impacted 70 overall¹. This disaster has compounded the suffering of communities already devastated by the ongoing war between rival militaries¹.

The collapse of the Arbaat Dam on August 24th had a devastating impact on the local population as humanitarian aid reached to the area remain limited due to the destruction of roads and lack of scaled response. The latest numbers reflecting this crisis are:

  • Casualties: The disaster resulted in at least 148 deaths and over 170 injuries. Additionally, between 150 and 200 people are still missing.
  • Displacement: Approximately 50,000 residents have been affected, with many losing their homes. The destruction of 20 villages has left thousands without shelter.
  • Infrastructure Damage: The collapse caused extensive damage to essential infrastructure, including 84 boreholes and 1,380 latrines. The freshwater pipeline supplying Port Sudan was also severely damaged, disrupting water supply to the city.

Aljazeera Abba/ White Nile state Floods

On December 23, 2024, Al Jazeera Aba in the White Nile state experienced floods due to rising water levels in the White Nile. The recent floods forced over 16 thousands families to evacuate their homes, which were completely submerged. Several neighborhoods, such as Hamer, Rahmaniya, Ard Al-Sharifa, Al-Inqath Al-Gharbi, and Muhammadiyah, were severely affected, with many houses collapsing due to the intense water flow, these areas were submerged for four consecutive days. Some organizations, including the International Organization for Migration, have issued warnings about the situation, noting a high incidence of cholera due to environmental contamination from the floods.

 Thousands were displaced from their homes, many houses were destroyed, and essential infrastructure like roads and streets were cut off. There are vast concerns that the main drinking water station, which serves around 70,000 citizens, was flooded, leading to health and environmental hazards.

The of the floods according is not clear as different statements came from RSF and SAF regarding the responsibility of the floods. The Minister of Infrastructure of the White Nile State, Tayeb Mohamed Al-Hassan, stated the Rapid Support Forces’ closure of the Jebel Aulia Dam contributed to the flood severity, while RSF stated that SAF airstrikes caused a damage in the dam, resulted in the floods. Local volunteers warn of the  real risk of a cholera outbreak due to increased water pollution.

Conflict Around Jabal Aulia Dam

The Jebel Aulia Dam is located on the White Nile near Khartoum, Sudan. It was constructed between 1933 and 1937. At the time of completion, it was the largest dam in the world. It was built by the British civil engineering company Pauling & Co. and the civil engineer John Watson Gibson.

Recently, the dam has been a focal point of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which has severely affected the White Nile State and surrounding areas. On November 14, 2024, rapid support forces accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of damaging the dam through airstrikes. In turn, this caused extensive flooding leading to more flooding hazards. The closure of the Jebel Aulia Dam on November 14th, 2024, significantly contributed to flooding in Al Jazeera Aba. This closure led to water levels rising and overflow affecting surrounding areas. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been involved in clashes around the dam, causing further damage to the structure for the last year, as clashes continues due to SAF attempts to control the area. The dam plays a critical role in the region, not just by controlling water levels but also by providing water for irrigation and local agriculture, essential for the surrounding communities. Maintenance and proper operation of the dam are urgently needed to prevent future.

Impact of Floods on Movement

The floods have also significantly impacted the movement of people into Sudan. Many refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were already in precarious situations have been further displaced by the floods. The heavy rains and flooding have made roads impassable, hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid and complicating efforts to reach those in need. This has created additional challenges for both the affected populations and the humanitarian organizations working to assist them.

Floods Impact on Women and Girls

The floods have had a particularly severe impact on women and girls. Displacement has increased their vulnerability to gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Many women and girls have lost access to essential health services, including maternal and reproductive health care, which is critical in a country with already high maternal mortality rates. The lack of privacy and security in temporary shelters further exacerbates their risk of violence and exploitation. Additionally, the burden of fetching water and caring for sick family members often falls on women and girls, increasing their exposure to contaminated water and disease.

Impact on Displaced People

The floods have displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom were already living in precarious conditions due to ongoing conflict. Displaced individuals are now living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with limited access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. The lack of adequate shelter has left many exposed to the elements, increasing the risk of illness and injury. The disruption of livelihoods has also left many families without a source of income, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

Cholera and Dengue Fever Outbreak

Patients arrive too late, and most of the times we have nothing to give to them.

said a health worker in Khartoum

The floods have also contributed to a severe cholera outbreak in Sudan. The outbreak has resulted in at least 22 deaths and 354 confirmed cases across the country. Local health authorities  reported 51,202 cholera  cases in 11 localities and over 1,356 deaths cases by January 2025. The disease has spread rapidly due to the contaminated water sources and poor sanitation conditions exacerbated by the floods. States such as Al Jazirah, Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, Red Sea, Sennar, South Kordofan, and White Nile have reported significant numbers of cases.[1] The ongoing conflict and damage to infrastructure have further complicated efforts to control the outbreak and provide adequate medical care.

Local health authorities reported over 9,543 cases of dengue fever, included 16 deaths in the last year. In Khartoum, Dengue fever is spreading in areas under RSF and SAF control. Dozens of people reported sick every day in Sharq Elneil and Bahry, “ our volunteers are falling sick and some of died while providing services to patients.” Said a local aid initiative coordinator.[2] Eiman is a young woman volunteer with the ERR in Bahry, she died while providing medical care to others, “ she just fell from the fever and died the next day,” her colleagues reported on social media[3]. Medical professionals in Bahri and Sharq Elneil and local volunteers said the fever is killing increasing numbers of people every day due to the lack of medications, food and restrictions on movement. “ Patients arrive too late, and most of the times we have nothing to give to them,” said a health worker in Khartoum.[4] In north Khartoum a volunteer died in November out of dengue fever, another woman volunteer from eastern Khartoum died in early January 2025. The spread of the fever continues due to the lack of health care services.

Impact on Frontlines Service Providers

The floods and the diseases continue to take a toll on the locally displaced communities in Sudan. Service providers, including volunteers suffer from the increasing demands for health services, which are not available on most locations under both fighting parties. The volunteers working in providing food assistance and other humanitarian aid are falling sick across Khartoum, Algadarif and other areas. Some of them died on duty while helping others. The lack of access to medicines and proper laboratory investigation increased the risks among IDPs and service providers. One of the main challenges is the restrictions on funding for health services, most donors and humanitarian aid groups refrain from supporting the locally led health initiatives and request certain levels of collaboration with the official health minister. Access to funding and medical supplies is increasingly limited and forcing more health providers to leave to other places.

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[1]  Ultra Sudan, 14 Jan, 2025

[2] Interview with local volunteer November 2024

[3] Interview with local volunteer November 2024

[4] Interview with local volunteer November 2024