Sudan: UN agencies and partners launch $8.6 million appeal for flood victims

United Nations humanitarian agencies and their non-governmental organization (NGO) partners launched today in Khartoum, an $8.6 million appeal to assist some 100,000 people left homeless by severe floods in the Sudan.

The humanitarian appeal is intended to meet the needs of people in Kassala, some 280 kilometres northwest of the capital, Khartoum, as well as other affected areas. Excessive rainfall in the Eritrean highlands, along with localized rains, caused the River Gash to burst its banks on 29 July, flooding both the eastern and western parts of Kassala.

Thirteen deaths and 56 injuries were confirmed by an assessment conducted in the area last week. Some 7,515 houses were completely destroyed while an additional 6,022 suffered partial damage.

The city's hospital and 17 health clinics were also damaged, while 86 schools were closed down.