KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Heavy rainfall and resultant flooding across 17 of Sudan’s states and Abyei Area since early August had affected approximately 341,000 people as of August 27, according to Government of Sudan (GoS) authorities. On August 11, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Joseph D. Stafford declared a disaster due to the effects of the floods. Since the onset of the floods, USAID/OFDA has provided approximately $1.1 million to agencies engaged in response efforts. The USG also supports several international humanitarian organizations that are responding to urgent needs in flood-affected areas.
Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and other armed groups, as well as inter-communal fighting, persist across Darfur, with escalating violence, reports of increased criminal activity, and GoS-imposed restrictions limiting the ability of humanitarian organizations to reach affected populations. Between January and mid-May, fighting displaced more than 300,000 people both internally and as refugees to neighboring countries, the U.N. reports.
The USG recently committed an additional $171.7 million in funding for humanitarian activities in Sudan, bringing total FY 2013 support to nearly $258 million to date. Through this assistance, the USG is providing food aid, strengthening health care services, and supporting nutrition, protection, and WASH assistance, as well as responding to acute emerging needs among conflict-affected and vulnerable populations in Sudan.