UN: Floods Affected Over 288,000 People in Sudan

A satellite image shows Halfie Elmouluk as heavy floods sweep through Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 5, 2020. (REUTERS Photo)
A satellite image shows Halfie Elmouluk as heavy floods sweep through Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 5, 2020. (REUTERS Photo)
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UN: Floods Affected Over 288,000 People in Sudan

A satellite image shows Halfie Elmouluk as heavy floods sweep through Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 5, 2020. (REUTERS Photo)
A satellite image shows Halfie Elmouluk as heavy floods sweep through Khartoum, Sudan, Sept. 5, 2020. (REUTERS Photo)

Heavy rains and flash floods affected over 288,000 people across Sudan as of September 16, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported.

Over 43,700 homes were damaged, and an unconfirmed number of public infrastructure facilities and farmlands have been affected.

Heavy rain and flooding have been reported in 13 out of 18 states. Aj Jazirah, South Darfur, Gedaref, and West Darfur are the most affected states.

The Government, led by the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), and humanitarian partners have started providing life-saving assistance to people affected. However, prepositioned relief items are being depleted and there is an urgent need to replenish stocks, especially if the humanitarian situation deteriorates further, said OCHA.

In support of the flood response, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) has allocated $7.7 million to 14 NGOs in 15 states to finance swift humanitarian response when needed.

In addition, some $7 million has been allocated to four UN agencies for the procurement of emergency stocks. Another $3.5 million is available for floods rapid response activities.

In 2020, almost 900,000 people across 18 states were affected in the worst flooding in the country in 100 years.

Over 140 people died, around 18,000 homes were destroyed.

An estimated 2.2 million hectares of agricultural land was flooded, representing 26 percent of cultivated areas in 15 assessed states.

Flash floods submerged villages and caused immense damage to infrastructure, including dams, roads, bridges, and highways.

Due to unreliable drainage systems, there was stagnant water in different locations, posing a risk to health outbreaks as pools of water become breeding grounds for water-borne and vector-borne diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, rift valley fever, and chikungunya.

Hygiene and sanitary levels plummeted due to flooded latrines and contaminated water supplies, preventing people from exercising necessary COVID-19 prevention measures.



Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
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Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)

Russia has reaffirmed its ongoing diplomatic and military dialogue with the Syrian government, stressing the importance of safeguarding its national interests, particularly regarding its military presence in Syria.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that communications between Moscow and Damascus remain active on a number of sensitive issues, including the future of Russian military bases and the humanitarian challenges stemming from the influx of displaced Syrians into the Russian-operated Hmeimim airbase in Latakia.

In remarks to the state-run TASS agency published Wednesday, Ryabkov noted that all issues are being discussed, despite a noticeable slowdown in public communications between the two allies in recent weeks.

He stressed that Moscow expects Syria to act in a way that respects Russia’s strategic interests, particularly as the two sides revisit the terms of longstanding military agreements.

Addressing the continued presence of thousands of Syrians at Hmeimim, Ryabkov said Russia is in contact with Syrian authorities to resolve the matter.

“We anticipate that this issue, along with others, will be resolved in a manner that protects our national interests and addresses the humanitarian concerns involved,” he said.

Around 9,000 Syrians reportedly sought refuge at the base after clashes erupted earlier this year between the new Syrian authorities and loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Latakia, Tartus, and Homs.

Russia has been seeking to redefine its relationship with Damascus since Assad’s removal. A key step came in January when Russian presidential envoy Mikhail Bogdanov visited Syria for the first time since the leadership change.

Following the visit, Moscow signaled progress in “breaking the ice,” with both sides reportedly agreeing to explore a new framework for cooperation, including renegotiating Russia’s military footprint at Hmeimim and Tartus.

Damascus, for its part, has requested Russia’s support in implementing transitional justice, including lifting protection for former regime figures and repatriating allegedly embezzled funds believed to be held in Russia - claims the Kremlin denies.

Moscow has also expressed willingness to support Syria’s internal political dialogue, offer infrastructure reconstruction assistance, and potentially clear Syrian debt.

In March, President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa affirming Russia’s readiness to deepen cooperation in all fields and backing Syria’s efforts to stabilize the country.

The timing of the letter was seen as significant, particularly after reports indirectly accused Moscow of enabling rogue military actions by Assad loyalists.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov extended an official invitation to his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, to visit Moscow, a move reportedly suggested by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.