Thousands are stranded on the streets of Kassala, a city in eastern Sudan, as heavy rains worsen the conditions for over a million Sudanese who have sought refuge in the region from a 15-month-long conflict.
Beginning earlier this month, the rainy season has already destroyed shelters, rendered roads impassable, and put millions at risk of water-borne diseases throughout vast regions of the country.
This occurs as the number of displaced individuals within Sudan, now exceeding 10 million, continues to rise with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) expanding its territory in the conflict with the national army.
The conflict, which broke out in April 2023, has prompted warnings of famine and has been labeled by the United Nations as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
According to the United Nations, approximately 765,000 people are taking refuge in Gedaref state, while over 255,000 are in Kassala state, which experienced the heaviest rains over the weekend.
The latest influx of 165,000 people from Sennar state includes many who have arrived on foot through the rain in recent weeks.
Over 10,000 of those who reached Kassala city have been crammed into the few available vacant buildings, such as a school courtyard and an empty hangar, both of which rapidly flooded.
“We could withstand the sun, but we can’t manage the rain,” stated Nada Omer.
Hussein Abdo, another displaced individual, said, “We are stuck in the street and have no place to settle.” The United Nations reports that at least five people have been killed due to the rains.
Hussein Abdo, a displaced person, stated, “We are waiting in the street and have nowhere to settle.”
The United Nations reports that at least five people have been killed as a result of the rains.
People who arrived earlier from Khartoum or El Gezira state, or those in the somewhat drier al-Gedaref, are facing similar hardships.
They are sleeping on school floors with limited facilities and makeshift, shallow toilets that have been flooded as well.
People who arrived earlier from Khartoum or El Gezira state, or those in the somewhat drier al-Gedaref, are facing similar hardships.
They are sleeping on school floors with limited facilities and makeshift, shallow toilets that have been flooded as well.
According to Mohammed Qazilbash of Plan International, little preparation was made for the situation. “We are approaching 500 days of war, and everyone is exhausted… It’s one tragedy after another,” he told Reuters.
As the anticipated surge in water-borne diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever approaches, both the government and aid workers are facing a shortage of medical supplies.
Dr. Ali Adam, head of the state health ministry, stated, “We are providing whatever resources we have, but it is insufficient to meet the demand.”
The rainy season affects large areas of the country. In North Darfur’s Zamzam camp, recent rains have obliterated over 1,000 homes and 800 latrines, in a region where experts warn of imminent famine risks.
The RSF’s progress remains unimpeded. On Monday, they reported reaching a point roughly 180 km (112 miles) from Gedaref, one of the states housing the largest number of displaced individuals.
The influx of people from Gedaref cannot be accommodated by Kassala, the only neighboring state under army control. Likewise, Port Sudan, the army’s de facto capital on the Red Sea, is unable to handle the additional burden.
“People are frightened, but there are no alternatives,” said a volunteer in the Gedaref emergency response room. “They are waiting for their fate as other cities are already full.”
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