Another Hurdle on the Path to Recovery:

By: Ali Noureldin Abdulrahman

Footage showing water gushing through the streets of Khartoum’s neighbourhoods have raised fears of yet another disaster facing civilians in Sudan, a country already suffering from numerous challenges.

Authorities issued a red alert warning of potential floods in five provinces along the River Nile, citing rising water in its two main tributaries, the Blue and White Nile.

The situation, if developed to a serious level, would have heavy impact on the environmental, health, social and economic spheres.

Efforts should immediately aim at tackling several challenges, including expected heavy rains , more flooding, collapse or damage to infrastructure.

As many people have fled their homes and are living in crowded shelters or camps, these settings often have poor sanitation and limited clean water, which increase the risk of disease, such as the outbreak of cholera, dengue fever, malaria and acute watery diarrhoea.

Stagnant water and lack of sufficient garbage and waste management systems will also provide a breeding ground for disease vectors.

Moreover, in such conditions, health facilities would be damaged, stretched or become inaccessible as flooded or damaged roads would cut supply chains.

To avoid the worst outcomes, or to mitigate them, authorities and partners should work together to rapidly restore water and sanitation infrastructure, strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response.

Efforts should also be made to include draining stagnant water ,improving shelter and living conditions for displaced people and providing access to clean water.