Federation appeals for flood victims

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Monday appealed for funds and material support for more than 100,000 people in need of urgent assistance as flooding worsens in Sudan. A Federation statement received by IRIN said it had launched a 1.2 million-Swiss franc appeal to support relief operations, as flash floods spread to White Nile State. Weekend assessments had found another 800 houses destroyed or damaged bringing the total number of affected homes in nine states to over 20,000. The severe August flooding was caused by "unusually heavy" and "early rains" which had resulted in the death of some 40 people and the destruction of homes, schools, medical centres and other infrastructure. The Federation warned donors that the disaster "could intensify", saying that the "rainy season still has weeks to run" and meteorologists have forecast that the above average rainfall would continue, the statement added. So far, Khartoum State has suffered the most, followed by River Nile, North Kordofan, White Nile, Northern State, Sinnar, Red Sea, Kassala and Gezira states. "Red Crescent workers are extremely concerned by deteriorating health stricken communities especially where people are exposed to the elements," the statement said, noting that diarrhoeal diseases and malaria were increasing due to stagnant water. In River Nile state, some 128 people among 754 diarrhoeal cases had already died, with similar reports coming in from other affected areas. "Shortages of medicine are compounding the problems. Sprayers and chemicals are urgently required as well as medical supplies," it said.