In response to the ongoing devastation caused by the conflict in Sudan since April 2023, Sudanese scientists have initiated an ambitious project to establish the Sudan War Environmental Consequences Observatory (Sweco). Spearheaded by the University of Khartoum Consulting Corporation, Sweco aims to utilize advanced satellite technology to monitor and evaluate the environmental and infrastructural damage resulting from the prolonged conflict.
Announcing the plans via LinkedIn's professional networking platform, Nadir Hassanein, General Director of the University of Khartoum Consulting Corporation, emphasized the urgent need for such an observatory amidst widespread destruction across various sectors. The conflict, primarily involving the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has inflicted significant damage on critical infrastructure such as water facilities, power plants, oil and gas installations, sewage systems, and agro-processing facilities.
Sweco will leverage modern satellite imagery to provide rapid, near real-time coverage of extensive areas at a relatively low cost. This capability will enable journalists, scientists, researchers, and engineers in Sudan to comprehensively assess the extent of environmental and infrastructural damage caused by the conflict. Additionally, the observatory will rely on data collected by volunteers on the ground to supplement its satellite observations, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the impacts.
One of Sweco's primary objectives is to create detailed damage inventories across various sectors, including food security, education, healthcare, and climate impact. By meticulously documenting the character, magnitude, and significance of the damage, the observatory aims to inform comprehensive environmental management plans aimed at restoring and safeguarding the environment while addressing the social challenges arising from the conflict.
Crucially, Sweco's data will play a pivotal role in guiding post-war rebuilding efforts, informing the development of infrastructure necessary for resettling displaced populations and mitigating health and safety threats. Hassanein emphasized the importance of tailored, data-rich maps to identify urban and climate risks, enabling informed decision-making regarding the allocation of resources for essential infrastructure such as sewer systems, clean water facilities, and drainage.
Despite the significant undertaking, funding details for Sweco remain undisclosed. However, it is envisaged that the observatory will incorporate a Satellite-based remote sensing unit supported by field groups, ensuring the collection of high-resolution satellite images and the analysis validation by on-the-ground volunteers.
Beyond its immediate objectives, Sweco underscores a broader commitment to environmental protection, peace, and human rights. The observatory aims to counter misinformation and disinformation surrounding the conflict by disseminating accurate, carefully vetted information in Arabic and English. Moreover, Sweco intends to serve as a vital resource for scientists, activists, journalists, and civil society, providing meticulously analyzed environmental reports to inform decision-making and advocacy efforts.
Article by Jed Mwangi
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