Flooding in Sudan’s eastern Kassala province has exacerbated the plight of displaced people seeking refuge there. One of the largest displacement camps, located in the area known as the Industrial School, is now facing additional hardships as residents plead for urgent assistance.
Ali Abdul Jabbar, an internally displaced man from Sennar, described the dire situation: “We arrived from Sennar and have been residing in the Industrial School area for 20 days. The rain and water conditions are severe. We are not facing any issues with each other, but once our accommodations are repaired, we will move there. We urge the authorities to address this issue promptly.”
He continued, appealing for aid: “I appeal to all kind-hearted individuals in Kassala province, across Sudan, and beyond to assist the people in need with essential supplies like equipment, shelter, blankets, clothing, or medicine.”
In Kassala, residents trudged through knee-deep floodwater, clutching their salvaged belongings. Some sought refuge on dry land, abandoning tents partially submerged by the floodwaters. The Sudanese Ministry of Health reported that at least 12 people have died in eastern Sudan since the flooding began on Saturday, inundating homes and tents.
This disaster comes on the heels of ongoing turmoil in Sudan. In April of last year, violent clashes erupted between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and other parts of the country. The United Nations reports that the fighting has resulted in over 14,000 deaths and 33,000 injuries, with activists suggesting that the actual numbers could be even higher.
This conflict has also led to the largest displacement crisis globally, with more than 11 million people forced to flee their homes. The compounded challenges of conflict and flooding have left many in Sudan in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.