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Sudan's Water Crisis: War Drives Costs Sky High
31 Oct
Summary
- Residents pay the equivalent of an entire month's salary for water.
- Port Sudan's water supply meets less than 40 percent of demand.
- Arbaat Dam collapse has left neighborhoods reliant on expensive truck deliveries.
Residents of Port Sudan are grappling with critically high water costs, with some, like Amina Khalafallah, spending their entire monthly salary on water for their families. This crisis is a direct consequence of the ongoing war, which has strained infrastructure and displaced populations, increasing demand on already fragile systems.
The city's water supply is currently meeting less than 40 percent of the demand. A significant factor contributing to the shortage is the collapse of the Arbaat Dam in August 2024, which once supplied half of Port Sudan's daily water needs. Its destruction has left many neighborhoods dependent on expensive water deliveries by truck.
Rehabilitation efforts by organizations like the UNDP have restored parts of the network, aiming to supply water to nearly 230,000 people. However, with an estimated population of one million, further projects are crucial to meet the city's needs.
The water crisis poses severe public health risks, increasing the danger of waterborne diseases like cholera and making basic hygiene difficult. Hospitals also face challenges, impacting infection control and patient care, while the financial strain worsens food insecurity and malnutrition.
