Alert raised as Nile threatens Khartoum
13 August 2001

Tens of thousands of people are fleeing their homes in Sudan as the water level in the River Nile reaches its highest level in more than twenty years, with the authorities urging others to be prepared to move at short notice.

Whole villages and settlements in River Nile and Sinnar states have been submerged while there has been damage to crops, property and livestock in the states of Darfur, Red Sea and Kassala. But there has been growing concern over the capital, Khartoum, which is also at risk

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for nearly 1.3 million Swiss francs to support on-going relief work for flood victims and for contingency measures should the Nile burst its banks in the capital as it did in August 1988 with catastrophic consequences.

"There are some two millon internally displaced people living in shanty towns around Khartoum city and it is they - trapped in poverty - who suffer the most when we get these recurrent floods," said Omer Osman, Secretary General of the Sudanese Red Crescent.

A contingency plan has already been activated and volunteers from the Sudanese Red Crescent have been clearing debris, distributing food and blankets and providing first aid and social support to several of the affected areas along the banks of the Nile.

But there is urgent need for relief items such as tarpaulins, chlorine tablets and essential drugs and equipment for mobile health clinics. The appeal by the International Federation will help the Sudanese Red Crescent to aid 10,000 of the most needy displaced people for three months.

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

Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4570 / + 41 79 217 3374

Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4346 / + 41 79 416 3881

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 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.