Wednesday- 30^th June, 2021: Severe storms have damaged the shelters of more than 16,000 Ethiopian refugees in eastern Sudan, the United Nations says.

Heavy rains, strong winds and hailstorms destroyed tents and swept away belongings.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its partners are in a race against time and nature to repair and reinforce shelters and ensure that affected families have access to clean water and safe latrines with storms expected to intensify further during the rainy season, which continues from June to October.

We are replacing blankets and sleeping mats and replenishing food supplies. Distributions of 2,500 emergency shelter kits – ropes, wooden poles, and bamboo sticks – are underway to help those most impacted to reinforce their tents. A total of 10,000 emergency shelters kits are planned for distribution with an additional 5,000 in reserve.

Drainage systems are being dug to mitigate the risk of further flooding.

Tens of thousands of Ethiopians are seeking refugee in Sudan after fleeing the war in Tigray.