Egypt sends bread production lines to Sudan after flood crisis: Army spox

CAIRO – 1 October 2020: Two military planes have headed from East Cairo Base to Khartoum International Airport carrying bread production lines, to help Sudanese people face the implications of recent deadly floods, the Egyptian Army said.

More than 100 people were killed due to the floods, 500 thousand families were affected, in 16 states, as the capital was the most affected. 

The two planes have been sent for the second time to Sudan, the Military spokesman said, in an effort to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

Three Egyptian military aircraft loaded with foodstuffs and medical supplies arrived in Khartoum and Juba earlier in September, to help people in the flood-hit Sudan and South Sudan.

The moves come as part of directives issued by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to launch an airlift offering urgent aid to the Sudanese and South Sudanese people who are badly affected by the crisis.

Sudanese and South Sudanese officials have expressed thanks and appreciation for the Egyptian leadership in light of Cairo's efforts to help the two countries overcome the current crisis.

Egypt’s Minster of Health Hala Zayed arrived in Sudan in September upon directives from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, leading a high-profile medical delegation to offer medical assistance and help Sudanese to combat the torrential floods which hit the country recently.

The delegation groups 20 physicians of various specialties in addition to a nursing staff, Spokesman for the Health Ministry Khaled Megahed said, adding that Sudanese Health Minister Osama Abdel Rahim will receive the Egyptian delegation at Khartoum Airport.

The delegation will group specialized anti-epidemic teams to spray pesticides against rodents and mosquitoes in the affected areas and also train the Sudanese human cadres on spraying pesticides.

The medical delegation will be divided into four teams that will be distributed on four various areas in the capital to continue offer medical assistance to the affected people until the flood recedes, he pointed out.

Bilateral talks will be held between Egypt and Sudan during the visit to discuss the needs of Sudan’s health system. Megahed said the Egyptian minister will visit one of the affected areas to get acquainted with the health conditions in it, he said.

Sudanese Minister of Information Faisal Mohamed Saleh thanked Egyptians for supporting his country facing the floods impact which left over 100 people dead.

“We are greatly overwhelmed with the Egyptians love and support which reflected on social media” Saleh said in statements to TEN channel, Sunday.

He added that, “everyone knows the depth of relations between Egypt and Sudan and due to some political circumstances, that affected the two countries, the relationship between them remains deep, and we are grateful to the Egyptian government that sent our country urgent aid.”

Saleh explained that his country is facing the largest flood in 100 years, adding that to: “Some factors that led to this situation, however, everyone is working to fix everything.”

As Sudan has been hit by flash floods as a result of torrential rains, Egypt sent two military aircraft carrying foodstuffs, medical supplies and waterproof tents on Sunday for Khartoum.

The shipment has been dispatched upon directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to ease the burden of the natural disaster, which left over 100 people dead and over 50 wounded and devastated several buildings.

Meanwhile, Sudanese officials expressed appreciation of Egypt's efforts in support of the Sudanese people at times of crisis.

Sisi expressed his full solidarity with the government and people of Sudan in the face of the floods.

“I express my sincere solidarity with the brotherly Sudanese government and people amid the heavy rains and flash floods that have ravaged their country, causing devastation and tragic loss of life,” Sisi tweeted on Saturday.

He stressed that “I affirm Egypt’s full readiness to provide all means of support to our Sudanese brothers during this critical period to deal with the devastating effects of the floods.”

“I pray to Allah Almighty to heal the wounded and give the families of the victims in Sudan solace and fortitude,” President Sisi added.

Also, Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement regarding the issue. It come in light of the solid fraternal ties binding the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples, in addition to ''the unity of path and destiny'' between the two countries.

Cairo also extended its sincerest condolences to Khartoum over the floods victims, asserting its full readiness to coordinate with the Sudanese people as regards the humanitarian relief efforts required to face the repercussions of these floods, the ministry added.