People Affected by Sudan’s Floods Complain of Poor State Assistance

Part of the damage caused by the torrential rains in the Managil area in central Sudan (AP)
Part of the damage caused by the torrential rains in the Managil area in central Sudan (AP)
TT
20

People Affected by Sudan’s Floods Complain of Poor State Assistance

Part of the damage caused by the torrential rains in the Managil area in central Sudan (AP)
Part of the damage caused by the torrential rains in the Managil area in central Sudan (AP)

People affected by Sudan’s floods complained of the State’s failure to help them and accused the authorities of not providing the necessary aid to confront the humanitarian catastrophe.

Floods and heavy rains in Sudan left 79 people dead and 30 injured, in addition to the partial or complete collapse of nearly 40,000 homes and the displacement of about 150,000 people.

The Early Warning Unit warned of the possibility of continuous moderate to heavy rain in a number of regions of the country in the coming days.

As of 12 August, torrential rains and floods have affected a number of provinces, destroying houses and facilities and damaging a number of agricultural projects and roads, especially in the River Nile and Gezira provinces.

On Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that more than 136,000 people have been affected by floods in the eastern Sudan and Kordofan states. The UN agency said it expected this figure to increase as the counting was still underway and heavy rains had been forecast.

Sudan’s rainy season usually lasts until September, with floods peaking just before then.

Last year, flooding and heavy rain killed more than 80 people and swamped tens of thousands of houses across the country. In 2020, authorities declared Sudan a natural disaster area and imposed a three-month state of emergency across the country after the deluge killed around 100 people and inundated over 100,000 houses.



Egypt’s Defense Minister Urges Air Defense Forces to Maintain Peak Combat Readiness

Defense Minister Abdel Majeed Saqr at the iftar with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday. (Egyptian Military Spokesman)
Defense Minister Abdel Majeed Saqr at the iftar with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday. (Egyptian Military Spokesman)
TT
20

Egypt’s Defense Minister Urges Air Defense Forces to Maintain Peak Combat Readiness

Defense Minister Abdel Majeed Saqr at the iftar with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday. (Egyptian Military Spokesman)
Defense Minister Abdel Majeed Saqr at the iftar with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday. (Egyptian Military Spokesman)

Egyptian Defense Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Abdel Majeed Saqr called on the country’s air defense forces to maintain rigorous training and the highest levels of combat efficiency and operational readiness. He also stressed the importance of enhancing the technical performance of weapons and equipment to ensure maximum effectiveness.

During an iftar gathering with members of the Air Defense Forces on Sunday, Saqr emphasized the need for full preparedness to protect Egypt’s airspace against all threats. The event was attended by Chief of Staff Ahmed Khalifa, senior military commanders, and key officials from the armed forces.

According to military spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez, the defense minister conveyed President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s appreciation for the unwavering efforts of Egypt’s air defense personnel in safeguarding national airspace around the clock.

He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to continuously supporting the air defense units by equipping them with the latest combat systems to ensure optimal mission execution.

Saqr also reviewed regional developments and their implications for Egypt’s national security, underscoring the strategic importance of maintaining a well-prepared and technologically advanced military.

On Saturday, the defense minister shared an iftar meal with troops from the Central Military Zone, Border Guards, Paratroopers, and Special Forces. He highlighted the army’s recent advancements in training and armament across all branches, formations, and units.

“Our Armed Forces, equipped with a modernized defense system, are fully capable of securing the country’s strategic borders,” Saqr stated. He described national defense as a “sacred duty” requiring continuous readiness to confront emerging challenges.

He also urged the troops to prioritize ongoing training, maintain high morale, and enhance both their physical and tactical skills, ensuring that the military remains vigilant and prepared to execute any mission under any circumstances.