Sudan is grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis following the collapse of the Arbaat Dam in the eastern part of the country, which has resulted in widespread flooding and significant loss of life. Emergency responders are racing against time to locate those missing after floodwaters breached the dam on Sunday, killing at least 30 people and likely many more. This disaster comes amid a particularly severe rainy season that has compounded the challenges facing a nation already battered by conflict and instability.
The dam collapse represents the most devastating in a series of floods that have struck Sudan this year. The heavy rains have hit earlier and with more intensity than usual, causing widespread damage across the nation. Floodwaters have destroyed homes, displaced around 118,000 people, and affected over 300,000, spreading diseases like cholera in the process. The country, which has been torn apart by 500 days of war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, is now facing another layer of crisis as aid struggles to reach those in need.
Aid Delivery Severely Hampered by Flooding and Conflict
The flooding has made it extremely difficult for humanitarian aid to reach the affected regions. Roads are closed, and many areas are inaccessible, forcing aid agencies to rely on limited means to deliver essential supplies. “Even before the dam burst, people were trapped by the flooding and couldn’t get anything from Port Sudan. The aid coming in now can’t get to the people,” said Mohamed Othman, a community leader from one of the flood-affected villages. The lack of access has left many without food, clean water, or medical supplies, exacerbating an already dire situation.
In the Darfur region, the floods have blocked food deliveries, including the first shipment from the World Food Programme (WFP) to the famine-threatened town of Kreinik since the reopening of the Adre border crossing. The bridge leading to the town, which shelters thousands of displaced people, was washed away in the rains, leaving the area cut off. A local volunteer described the situation as desperate, with little food available for those taking refuge there.
In other parts of Sudan, such as Tokar in Red Sea State, at least 500 households were displaced over the weekend. Many people are forced to wade through rivers that have formed between damaged homes. Images from social media and local reports show collapsed roofs and flooded neighborhoods in Northern Sudan, although official information on the extent of damage there remains limited.
Floods Add to Sudan’s Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The floods have come at a time when Sudan is already experiencing one of the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises. The conflict between the army and paramilitary forces has disrupted daily life and strained the country’s ability to respond to natural disasters. The recent floods have only worsened these conditions, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern over the difficulty of getting accurate information from affected areas like Arbaat. “We don’t know how many are unaccounted for in Arbaat. It’s very difficult to get information out from there,” said Jens Laerke, an OCHA spokesperson. The inability to assess the full impact of the flooding complicates efforts to coordinate relief and respond effectively to the growing needs of the population.
As heavy rains continue to fall in several parts of Northern Sudan, emergency responders and aid agencies face increasing challenges in their efforts to provide relief. With roads washed away and infrastructure damaged, the task of reaching those most in need is becoming ever more difficult. The situation highlights the urgent need for international support and intervention to prevent a worsening humanitarian disaster in Sudan.
Source: Reuters
