The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Catastrophic floods and surging inflation drive up number of Sudanese people in need
Sudan is experiencing a double humanitarian disaster caused by torrential floods and a simultaneously surging inflation which increased the number of people in need and the local cost of responding to those needs, the UN humanitarian agency said today (2 October) at the United Nations in Geneva.
Speaking to journalists, Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that “more than 860,000 people have had their houses destroyed or damaged in the floods and more than 120 people have died, according to local authorities”. He added that “schools, health, water and sanitation facilities have also been damaged or destroyed especially in North Darfur, Khartoum, West Darfur and Sennar”.
In early September, the country declared a three-month state of emergency over the floods, which began in mid-July and mark the worst flooding in the country in 30 years, with authorities recording the highest water levels on the Blue Nile since records began over 100 years ago.
The UN and its humanitarian partners have reached so far more than 400,000 people in need. However, rising prices are hampering the humanitarian assistance.
“A surging inflation, reaching nearly 170 percent in August, and the associated spike in local prices and shortages of basic commodities, is hampering the response in major ways”, OCHA’s Jens Laerke said. “The prices of supplies, which are procured locally, are rising every week”.
According to WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) partners, prices of some locally procured supplies have increased three-or four-fold, and in some cases, the services had to be stopped.
“A related challenge is that, in some cases, by the time the procurement process is finalized, the suppliers have increased prices so that the original budgets are no longer valid”, Laerke said. “Agencies have to restart the process from scratch, while there is no guarantee that by the time that that process is done, the prices will not have risen once again and they can start all over”.
According to OCHA, some humanitarian partners are now able to reach only one of every four people previously assisted, as increased prices and delays in procurement drained their budgets.
Sudan’s recent flooding and landslides have not only affected its people and their homes, but also damaged large tracts of farmland just before harvest. For the local communities, the average price of the food basket increased by nearly 200 per cent compared to last year, the World Food Programme said.
“Most families in Sudan already spent around 65 per cent of their income on food, so these price hikes lead to increased hunger and less education, health and other services that families de-prioritize as they try to cope with the economic hardship”, Jens Laerke said.
- Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying, a cloudy day.
- Wide shot, podium with speakers in a near-empty Room XIV in line with COVID-19 distancing measures, side shot, Palais des Nations.
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “More than 860,000 people have had their houses destroyed or damaged in the floods and more than 120 people have died, according to local authorities. Schools, health, water and sanitation facilities have also been damaged or destroyed especially in North Darfur, Khartoum, West Darfur and Sennar”.
- Medium shot, journalist sitting with mask and laptop, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “A surging inflation, reaching nearly 170 percent in August, and the associated spike in local prices and shortages of basic commodities, is hampering the response in major ways. The prices of supplies, which are procured locally, are rising every week”.
- Medium shot, cameraman, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “A related challenge is that, in some cases, by the time the procurement process is finalized, the suppliers have increased prices so that the original budgets are no longer valid. Agencies have to restart the process from scratch, while there is no guarantee that by the time that that process is done, the prices will not have risen once again and they can start all over”.
- Medium shot, UN staff sitting and listening using conference listening device, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Jens Laerke, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “Most families in Sudan already spent around 65 per cent of their income on food, so these price hikes lead to increased hunger and less education, health and other services that families de-prioritize as they try to cope with the economic hardship”.
- Medium shot, UN staff sitting and listening using conference listening device, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
- Medium shot, spokespersons sitting at the podium
- Wide shot, Room XIV, Palais des Nations.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians, the UN Human Rights Office warned today.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , UNWOMEN , UNDP
Sudan: Aid teams report massive displacement after latest Darfur atrocity; women’s bodies ‘turned into battlegrounds’
In Sudan’s North Darfur, tens of thousands of people have fled a displacement camp following the massacre of civilians and aid workers as the country enters the third year of a conflict marked by horrific levels of sexual violence, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | ITC
Global trade could shrink by three per cent as a result of the United States’ new tariff measures which in the longer term could reshape and boost as-yet untapped regional commercial links, a top UN economist confirmed on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Warring parties in Sudan are overseeing a wholesale assault on human rights amid global inaction, the UN Human Rights Office said on Friday, as the conflict is about to enter its third year.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Friday said Israel’s increasing issuance of so-called “evacuation orders” for Palestinians in Gaza have resulted in their forcible transfer.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR , UNHCR , UNWOMEN , WFP , WHO
Two years of war in Sudan have created epic suffering, aid agencies say
Two years since Sudan’s brutal conflict began, UN agencies warned that famine is spreading and civilians of all ages continue to suffer shocking abuse, including rape and gang rape.
1
1
Edited News | UNMAS
In Gaza, ongoing Israeli military operations and the aid blockade have continued to add to daily fears and hardships confronting those in the devastated enclave, the UN Mine Action Service, UNMAS, said on Wednesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNDP
Dangers grow for Myanmar earthquake survivors, health system 'overwhelmed' - UNDP
In earthquake-shattered central Myanmar people are sleeping in the streets in fear of buildings collapsing, facing early monsoon rains and the risk of waterborne diseases, the UN Development Programme warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | ICRC , OHCHR , UNHCR
Myanmar’s military has continued to launch airstrikes and other attacks against opposition forces in the devastated country, one week since a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck and despite announcing a ceasefire, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif on Tuesday presented a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, detailing the continued violations of human rights as a result of the offensive launched by the Rwandan-backed M23 in eastern DRC.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , IFRC
UN humanitarians and partners on Tuesday expressed deep shock at the killing of 15 colleagues on duty in southern Gaza whose remains were recovered from a shallow grave after a week-long rescue operation, noting that one worker is still missing.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , OCHA , WHO , UNHCR
Myanmar earthquake latest: window for lifesaving support is closing, say UN humanitarians
As the death toll continues to rise in earthquake-struck Myanmar, UN humanitarians have been rushing to support severely deprived and traumatized victims, warning that the window for lifesaving response is closing.