Racism? Why Not Show Solidarity With Sudan's Tragic Floods Like We Did With Lebanon a Month Ago?

Suffering the worst floods in 100 years, Sudan has declared a three-month state of emergency after more than 100 people lost their lives and tens of thousands of houses were completely destroyed. Yet, social media users pointed out a difference in Arab response to this natural disaster compared to the tragic explosion that rocked the Lebanese capital last month.

Even though the Blue Nile has flooded several days ago after continuous heavy rain linked by experts to climate change, social media only started interacting with the event yesterday, with many questioning the reason Arabs have not shown the Sudanese people the same sense of solidarity and support expressed following Beruit port's explosion last month.

Some people suggested that racism could be the main reason many people have overlooked the Khartoum tragedy since Sudanese people are black Africans, who don't receive media attention as much as other Arab countries. 

Other commentators expressed disappointment that Arab media outlets failed to report the event as heavily as they did with the Lebanese explosion, even though both calamities resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of people losing their homes.

Consequently, Twitter users launched the hashtag (#من_قلبي_سلام_للخرطوم: Peace from my heart to Khartoum) echoing a popular old song dedicated to Beirut and was widely shared last month in the wake of the port's explosion. They also shared photos showing the extent of damage that has impacted the Sudanese capital as a result of the floods.

Some users also called on their governments to send aid and support to Sudan, the way they did with Lebanon, urging them to open donation channels that enable regular citizens to send financial and in kind support to Sudanese people who are currently in a dire need for help.

Translation: "I hope to find a proper way to donate money to our brothers in Sudan. Maybe through the Oman Charitable Organization which had allowed ways to make donations to Lebanon previously."