Sudan is drowning, and so are the voices of its people
Opinion News Analysis by Serine Itani, Contributor
September 18th, 2020
Thinking back to the years pre-2020, we had a fairly different idea about what makes for a year of turmoil. The last few months have proved that chaos and devastation are the contributing elements that depict the nightmare that has been 2020. With COVID-19 making the first and special appearance to our year, it’s undeniable that the world has thereafter witnessed an extensive series of downhill developments in an exponential manner like never before seen.
In light of the many, many issues that we have come across this year, where the majority have become conversation pieces, it is crucial that we make the most of the situation and bring attention to what is currently happening in Sudan. The past few weeks have been horrific for the people of Sudan and unfortunately, global attention has hardly recognized the suffering that the Sudanese have, and continue to, endure.
What is happening?
With heavy rainfall taking over the country since July 2020, this has triggered significant river swells and floods which have hit 16 out of the 18 states that make up Sudan[1]. Consequently, this has affected 650,000 people since the start of the rains in mid-July, resulted in the destruction of over 100,000 homes, and led to the tragic deaths of roughly 100 people. In addition to this, 46 individuals were reported injured. According to the Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission, almost half a million of people have been affected and/or displaced by the floods leaving them in need of basic necessities such as shelter, water, hygiene, food and sanitation.
Residents in the capital, Khartoum, have been trying to protect their homes from the floodwaters via Reuters
The unprecedented disaster continues to worsen the state of the country and the livelihoods of its people. It even went as far as hitting South Sudan which has also created disastrous effects. Evidently, the disaster engraved itself as the worst floods to hit Sudan in a century. As water levels in the Blue Nile rose to 17.58 meters for the first time, this has initiated action from the government whereby they declared the country a disaster prone area and put in place a three-month state of emergency across all aspects of the country[2].
To further emphasize the severity of the issue at hand, reports state the heavy destruction to the country’s infrastructure, including sites housing the royal pyramids of Meroe and Nuri, which are considered two of the country’s most significant archaeological areas[3]. In addition, further news indicate that the catastrophic event has compromised Sudan’s safe drinking water. As a result, it is estimated that roughly 2,000 water sources have been either contaminated or compromised, potentially affecting more than 100,000 people[4].
Rain seasons are not unusual in Sudan, especially during the Autumn where rainfall typically starts in June and ends in October. However, experts believe that the country is subjected to erratic weather this year due to the climate change.
Unfortunately, the calamity has welcomed itself in the midst of a difficult political transition. After years and years of ruthless autocratic rule and corruption under former President Omar Al Bashir, such a disaster threatens to sabotage the developments made by the country including the people’s democratic ambitions.
How to help?
In spite of such an aggravating tragedy, there have been several initiatives established by relief organizations, aid workers and activists in order to ensure assistance to the people of Sudan and South Sudan.
Nafeer Initiative who, since the very beginning of the humanitarian crisis, have devoted themselves into providing aid to all those affected by the floods. They are delivering basic necessities such as food and shelter to the victims who have been displaced. On top of this, they have brought it upon themselves to survey and assess the damage that was caused by the catastrophe.
Additionally, another organization working in order to support the people of Sudan and South Sudan is Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA). IRUSA is raising donations for its emergency response efforts directed by their hardworking teams that are on the ground, in order to bring relief for those in need in the affected regions.
Awtad, based in Uganda, is also another organization providing aid to the victims that have been profoundly affected by the floods and the heavy rainfall. Furthermore, Awtad is also aiding in the rebuilding of homes for those who have been displaced.
By donating and volunteering, this directly helps and supports those affected by the crisis. In addition to this, by raising awareness about the issue, this will certainly create responsiveness to manage the disaster.
Climate Change: the cause of such a disaster?
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is yet another example of the increasing climate risks faced around the world. With the indication of changing weather patterns and the realization that the latest floods are the worst to hit Sudan since 1946, the disaster is another reminder of the harsh reality that is climate change. As a matter of fact, a 2019 United Nation’s Environment Programme report mentioned that the Sudanese capital was subjected to “serious environmental degradation due to extensive deforestation and droughts, which have conspired to make it vulnerable to climate-related hazards.”
Today, this has proved to be true.
Climate change is very much present and continues to threaten the food and water security of all countries but more specifically countries in the Middle East and Africa.
The IFRC President Francesco Rocca, along several other global leaders have met this week in order to address the situation and challenges that are being faced during a global climate summit. With 10,000 participants from 195 countries present, IFRC stated that climate change remains one of their top priorities for the foreseen future. Moreover, they continue by mentioning the importance of increased responses to crises such as the one faced in Sudan as well as an increase in efforts to support communities “to adapt and reduce the rising risks”.
Sudan has never witnessed such devastating floods. This upheaval is another event added to a series of unfortunate events comprising a global pandemic, economic crisis, the challenges of building a new state and achieving peace after a glorious revolution. Sudan needs more than thoughts and prayers. It needs international awareness, responsiveness and aid.
References
News, A. (2020). Sudan declares state of emergency over deadly floods. ABC News. Retrieved 11 September 2020, from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/sudan-declares-state-emergency-deadly-floods-72834315.
Red Cross launches Emergency Appeal for Sudan as deadly flooding leaves thousands homeless. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2020). Retrieved 11 September 2020, from https://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/press-release/red-cross-launches-emergency-appeal-sudan-deadly-flooding-leaves-thousands-homeless/.
Staff, R. (2020). Record floods threaten pyramid sites in Sudan. U.S. Retrieved 11 September 2020, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sudan-floods/record-floods-threaten-pyramid-sites-in-sudan-idUSKBN25Z24F.
Streets, E. (2020). What Is Happening in Sudan and How Can You Help? | Egyptian Streets. Egyptian Streets. Retrieved 11 September 2020, from https://egyptianstreets.com/2020/09/09/what-is-happening-in-sudan-and-how-can-you-help/.
UN Appeals for Help as Sudan Suffers Worst Flooding in a Century. Voice of America. (2020). Retrieved 11 September 2020, from https://www.voanews.com/africa/un-appeals-help-sudan-suffers-worst-flooding-century.
[1] ("Red Cross launches Emergency Appeal for Sudan as deadly flooding leaves thousands homeless", 2020)
[2] (News, 2020)
[3] (Staff, 2020)
[4] ("UN Appeals for Help as Sudan Suffers Worst Flooding in a Century", 2020)