Humanitarian Crises Unfold in Africa: Flooding in Sudan and Chad; Drought in Lesotho

Severe flooding in Sudan and Chad has impacted hundreds of thousands, with increasing humanitarian needs, while drought conditions in Lesotho threaten food security affecting approximately 700,000 people. The UN is coordinating relief efforts in response to these simultaneous disasters.

On Monday, the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that severe flooding in Sudan and Chad has left hundreds of thousands in dire need, while Lesotho faces a significant drought that threatens food security for many. The recent torrential rains have adversely impacted approximately half a million individuals across several regions in Sudan, including South Darfur, Red Sea, and River Nile states, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis. Chief spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, highlighted that areas susceptible to famine, notably El Fasher in North Darfur, have reported about 124,000 people affected by flooding, with nearly 2,900 suspected cholera cases linked to the stagnant water since mid-August. Humanitarian efforts are underway, with organizations on the ground providing essential food supplies for malnourished children in Nyala. In Chad, flooding has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 340 lives, with close to 1.5 million individuals now facing the consequences. More than 160,000 homes have been destroyed, and approximately 3.4 million people are currently experiencing acute hunger during this challenging lean season. In response to this crisis, the Acting UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya increased funding from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) from $5 million to $8 million to assist relief efforts. Conversely, Lesotho has been grappling with a historic drought, primarily attributed to the El Niño phenomenon. The drought has led to a decrease in agricultural production by a third, placing around 700,000 people in a state of food insecurity. The Lesotho government declared a national disaster in July due to the escalating hunger crisis. To support efforts in alleviating this situation, the acting UN emergency relief coordinator allocated $2 million from the CERF, and Reena Ghelani, the Assistant Secretary-General and Climate Crisis Coordinator, visited the country to assess the drought’s impacts.

The humanitarian crises resulting from flooding in Sudan and Chad, juxtaposed against the drought situation in Lesotho, illustrates the severe impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations. Flooding in Sudan and Chad has led to significant loss of life and critical food insecurity, whilst in Lesotho, drought conditions exacerbated by climate phenomena threaten food supplies and agricultural productivity. The response from the UN and relief agencies is imperative to mitigate the suffering and address the urgent needs of affected populations.

In summary, the humanitarian landscape in Africa is presently marked by alarming weather-related challenges. Flooding in Sudan and Chad is intensifying existing humanitarian crises, while Lesotho is confronting a significant drought that endangers food security for a substantial portion of its population. Collaborative efforts from humanitarian organizations, bolstered by increased funding, are critical to alleviating these urgent crises and supporting the affected regions in their recovery efforts.

Original Source: news.cgtn.com