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29 August 2001 Red Cross Red Crescent assessments in Sudan have shown that while floodwaters are receding, they have left a trail of destruction with thousands of homes washed away. They have also left a population facing immediate health risks from a lack of shelter and clean water and sanitation as well as a difficult future ahead. Although Sudan suffers from annual floods, this year's were early and severe. The country is now on alert for another wave. The Sudanese Red Crescent has been distributing emergency relief supplies for the flood victims as well as providing health care. Preliminary reports by the Sudanese authorities reveal that the worst flood-affected area of the country is to the north of the capital, Khartoum, in River Nile State, where more than 36,000 people have lost their homes. Participating in a joint assessment with Sudanese Red Crescent, government authorities, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, International Federation relief delegate Saraswathi Pasupathy reports the situation on the ground as "desperate". Taken by surprise by the unusually high levels of floodwaters, villagers barely managed to escape to higher ground. With the waters subsiding, they have returned to find their mud houses gone, their crops destroyed, livestock killed and their food supplies ruined. "Our immediate priority is to assist those made homeless with shelter and clean water as quickly as possible," says Saraswathi. Over the coming few days, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society will continue its distribution of emergency relief supplies such as plastic sheeting, jerry cans and water purification tablets in affected districts of Northern, Sinnar, River Nile and Khartoum States. With all of their relief stocks already dispatched to the field, new supplies are being procured with funds from the German and British Red Cross. As water levels decrease, the health situation is of mounting concern. "We fear the spread of disease and cases of eye and chest infections have begun to be reported," says Spanish Red Cross relief delegate Joan Nadal who recently visited White Nile state. In Sinnar, River Nile and Khartoum states, Red Crescent volunteers have been active in public health campaigns focusing on preventing the spread of water borne diseases. The volunteers are digging drainage canals to clear water clogged areas and are spraying pools of stagnant water with insecticides in a battle against malaria-carrying mosquitos. Villagers in other areas without access to insecticides, are spraying stagnant pools with engine oil. With the floods having come so early this year, teams of Red Crescent volunteers are distributing sandbags to communities along the Nile River and continuously monitoring water levels to alert the people to another wave of flooding. "The next few days are going to be very busy," admits Abu Baker, programme officer in the emergency and disaster preparedness department of the Sudanese Red Crescent, "but we will remain vigilant." With the serious possibility of further flooding in early September, concern is growing for those who have lost everything. "We are worried that people will be hit twice by the floods. It will take a great deal of time to rebuild their lives, time they do not have if the next wave of water comes soon. Chances are that for those who do manage to construct some kind of shelter, they will lose it once again," says Saraswathi. |
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