Floods pose “considerable obstacles” to development

A flood situation report by the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) said national and international experts have agreed the cumulative effects of floods on the social fabric, the physical infrastructure and national resources in Sudan pose considerable obstacles to the development of the country. This conclusion was based on the results of a joint government, UN and NGO mission to flood-affected areas, official flood emergency plans and consultations with federal and state authorities. The report noted that in Khartoum State, severe flooding in the provinces of Umbadda, Karari and Omdurman caught people and the state authorities by surprise. Over 6,000 houses were completely destroyed and another 6,000 partly damaged, directly affecting some 90,000 people. The collapse of thousands of pit latrines resulted in the pollution of water supplies and large amounts of stagnant water have led to an increase in malaria, diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases. In response, the state authorities developed an emergency plan combining short and medium-term measures.