Climate change has been devastating large areas of eastern and southern Africa, worsening the conditions for millions dealing with conflict, poverty, hunger, and disease.
Since mid-April, El Niño has caused heavy rainfall, leading to extreme weather events in East Africa, such as floods, landslides, strong winds, and hailstorms.
Challenges in Sudan
The UNHCR has reported that this year, climate change-induced heavy rains and flooding have severely affected tens of thousands in war-torn Sudan, causing displacement, injuries, and deaths.
The agency warns that the severe seasonal rains are exacerbating the plight of thousands of displaced persons, including refugees who are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said in Geneva on Friday that recent torrential rains and severe flooding have significantly impacted thousands of refugees and internally displaced people, with more than 11,000 in eastern Kassala state facing critical conditions.
“This includes many families who recently fled violence in Sennar state,” she noted. “Some have been displaced three or four times since the conflict began.”
“They have lost their belongings, including food supplies, and are facing difficulties accessing clean water and sanitation, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases,” she added.
The International Organization for Migration has indicated that since mid-April 2023, more than 10 million people have been displaced within Sudan, with an additional 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
Meanwhile, Sudan continues to host around 1 million refugees and asylum seekers from other countries, according to the UNHCR.
Olga Sarrado reported that the UNHCR is preparing to distribute essential relief supplies and shelter kits in the eastern and western regions of Sudan, where more rainfall is anticipated. She also highlighted growing concerns over flooding in the Darfur region, which could further impede aid efforts for many people in critical need.
“The humanitarian situation in the region is becoming increasingly dire, with many civilians still at risk and famine recently reported at a displacement site,” Sarrado said. “The conflict has already damaged crops and disrupted livelihoods, and the ongoing climate crisis is exacerbating the vulnerability of displaced individuals.”
Challenges in Southern Africa
As intense rains continue to affect refugees and displaced populations in Sudan, the World Food Program reports that over 27 million people in Southern Africa are suffering from hunger due to a drought caused by El Niño.
Valerie Guarnieri, assistant executive director for program operations at the WFP, recently visited Zimbabwe and Lesotho, two of the most severely impacted countries, where food insecurity affects 50% and 34% of their populations, respectively.
From Rome, she explained that the drought has severely damaged crops, driving up food prices and creating a hunger crisis at a time when food supplies are critically low. She also noted that this year’s lean season has begun earlier than usual.
“People are experiencing a premature and more intense lean season,” she said, warning that the situation is likely to worsen due to ongoing production shortfalls and decreasing supplies.
She noted that 21 million children, or about one in three in Southern Africa, are experiencing stunting, while 3.5 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition and require immediate nutritional care.
“Although these numbers are concerning, they are not as severe as in other regions facing famine, like Sudan. Nevertheless, such figures should not be seen in Southern Africa,” she said.
“To combat stunting and prevent wasting, it’s essential that all children, particularly women of childbearing age, receive the necessary nutrients for proper growth and health.”
To tackle this emergency, Guarnieri revealed that the WFP is ramping up its operations to provide food and nutritional support to 5.9 million people across seven countries until March. However, the organization is facing a $320 million shortfall in funding, which could undermine their ability to respond adequately.
UNHCR’s Sarrado also expressed worry that their appeal for nearly $40 million to assist and protect 5.6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced people, and local communities in Sudan and five neighboring countries has received only $5 million to date.