Sudan's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Torrential Rains

In Kassala, eastern Sudan, thousands are stranded due to heavy rains, exacerbating a 15-month humanitarian crisis from ongoing war. Damaged shelters and impassable roads risk water-borne diseases, with more than a million displaced. The escalating conflict further displaces people, while aid efforts struggle amid a deepening crisis.

Thousands of people are stranded on the streets of Kassala, an eastern Sudanese city, as heavy rains worsen the plight of over a million Sudanese displaced by a 15-month war.

The rainy season's early arrival has damaged shelters, made roads unusable, and heightened the risk of water-borne diseases across vast areas.

Currently, more than 10 million people are displaced within Sudan as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces expand their territory in the ongoing conflict with the national army. The United Nations has declared this the world's largest humanitarian crisis, warning of famine risks.

More than 255,000 people are sheltering in Kassala state, which faced severe rainfall over the weekend. Many are living in flooded shelters, including a school courtyard and an empty hangar, with more rain expected until September.

The influx includes 165,000 new arrivals from Sennar state. Despite plans to relocate them outside the city, many refuse due to lack of income opportunities. At least five people have died due to the rains.

Even those who arrived earlier in slightly drier areas, such as al-Gedaref, face dire conditions with limited services and flooded makeshift toilets. Little preparation was done for this year's rainy season.

Aid workers and government officials now brace for a rise in water-borne diseases, including cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, amidst scarce medical supplies. Meanwhile, the RSF continues to advance, further disrupting humanitarian efforts.

In North Darfur, rain destroyed over 1,000 houses and 800 latrines, exacerbating famine risks in the region. With other cities reaching their capacity to absorb more displaced individuals, Sudan's humanitarian crisis is set to worsen.