The collapse of the Arbaat Dam in eastern Sudan on August 25th, 2024, marks a significant and tragic development in Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. The dam, situated near Port Sudan, gave way after days of heavy rainfall, leading to catastrophic flooding in the surrounding areas. The breach released approximately 25 million cubic liters of water, devastating villages, and agricultural land, and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Arbaat dam’s failure has resulted in the deaths of at least 60 people, with over 150 still missing, as the rescue mission continues. The floodwaters swept through several villages, destroying homes, killing livestock, and displacing thousands of people. Local authorities estimate that around 118,000 people have been displaced by the disaster, with more than 50,000 homes completely destroyed in the Arbaat area alone. The region’s infrastructure has been severely damaged, complicating rescue efforts and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.
This disaster accelerates an already dire situation in Sudan, a country grappling with one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. For over 16 months, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. This conflict has led to the displacement of millions, with 10.7 million Sudanese internally displaced and an additional 2 million fleeing the country.
The collapse of the Arbaat Dam adds to the suffering of these displaced populations, many of whom were already struggling with food insecurity and limited access to clean water. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the potential for disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the flooding. Since June, Sudan has reported over 11,000 cases of cholera, with 316 fatalities. Flooding could worsen these conditions, particularly in areas where sanitation and healthcare services are already stretched thin.
The dam’s failure also sheds light to the growing challenges posed by climate change in the region. Eastern Sudan has experienced increasingly erratic weather patterns in recent years, with more intense and prolonged rainy seasons. These changes are placing additional stress on the country’s aging infrastructure, which is ill-equipped to handle such extreme weather events.
This disaster stresses the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation and disaster preparedness strategies in Sudan and other vulnerable regions. The flooding has not only devastated local communities but also disrupted agricultural activities, threatening food security in a country where half the population is already facing crisis levels of hunger.
In the immediate aftermath of the dam collapse, Sudanese authorities, along with international humanitarian organizations, have been working to provide relief to the affected populations. However, the ongoing conflict has significantly hampered these efforts, with many areas remaining inaccessible due to flooded roads and security concerns.
The United Nations and other international bodies have called for increased humanitarian assistance to Sudan, emphasizing the need for immediate support to address the fallout from the flooding and the broader humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
The collapse of the Arbaat Dam is a stark reminder of the compounding crises facing Sudan—a nation already torn apart by conflict, displacement, and food insecurity. As the waters recede, the true scale of the disaster will become clearer, but the people of Sudan will need support to recover from this tragedy. Addressing the immediate humanitarian needs while investing in climate resilience and infrastructure will be crucial to preventing similar disasters in the future.
