Dignity and Hygiene for Flood Survivors
Norwegian Church Aid is working to restore dignity and protect health for flood-affected families in Sudan by delivering life-saving hygiene kits and promoting data-driven, inclusive solutions.
Between late August and early September 2025, heavy rains and flash floods devastated Al-Fao Locality in Gedaref State, home to approximately 85,000 people, including 17,000 residents in Al-Fao town.
The disaster caused severe damage to homes and critical infrastructure, particularly WASH, health, and education facilities, leaving thousands of families vulnerable. A total of 2,833 households across ten villages were directly affected, with many displaced families seeking temporary refuge with relatives or within their communities.
Rapid Needs Assessment
An OCHA-led inter-agency assessment was conducted in 8 villages while one remained inaccessible due to poor road conditions. The assessment team, comprising cluster representatives, local authorities, and technical representatives from Health, Education, Social Affairs, and Security departments, met with the Executive Director of Al-Fao to review the situation. Local authorities highlighted the urgent need for shelter, WASH support, and infrastructure rehabilitation to mitigate ongoing risks and restore essential services.
NCA’s Response
In coordination with humanitarian partners, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) responded swiftly by distributing 375 hygiene kits in four villages reaching 2,859 individuals — including 1,522 women, 1,337 men, and 49 persons with disabilities.
Each hygiene kit contained:
- Soap
- Water containers
- Sanitary and personal cleaning materials
- Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) items
These kits helped families maintain cleanliness, ensure safe water supply management, protect their health, and restore dignity amid disrupted services. This intervention not only addressed immediate life-saving needs and reduced public health risks but also promoted gender equity and social inclusion, ensuring equal access for women, men, and persons with disabilities.
Lost their family home
Ahmed and his six children were among those that lost their home in the floods.
“My house completely collapsed, and the other one is about to fall. My situation is very difficult, and I don’t know how to start over,” Ahmed tells us.
“The most difficult thing about these floods is daily living itself. You can’t rebuild your house, and you can’t even properly feed your children. Everything has become so hard.”
Despite the hardship, Ahmed expresses his gratitude for the support he received.
“The items distributed to us are very useful, especially for washing hands, storing water, and even for the girls. We are truly thankful and hope for more support so we can rebuild our homes and restore what we have lost.”
He adds: “I wish for peace and safety to prevail across Sudan, and I hope my house will be rebuilt one day, a strong and safe home where my family can live in stability.”
