Khartoum - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Dust, dirt, and burning garbage fills the air, so the air quality is very poor. People with respiratory issues tend to have a difficult time. - Feb 2018
It's the worst I've ever had to experience. Dust is constantly in the air, and local dust storms, known as "haboobs," only make matters worse. Compounding the problem is that the only way to dispose of trash in Sudan is by burning it. There is actually a trash burning season. There's nothing like coming out your front door in the morning and take in that first deep breath of burning trash. Add to this the heat, and you'll find that you'll spend most of your time indoors. - May 2017
Poor. There is a lot of dust in the air as well as pollution. The preferred method of disposal of trash and sewage is via fire. - Nov 2016
It is very hot and dry, but there is not really any pollution other than dust/sand. Seasonal sandstorms (haboobs) can be very disruptive, but don't happen that often. Temperatures fluctuate throughout the year. - Oct 2016
It's extremely unhealthy. There is a perpetual cloud of PM2.5 from people constantly burning garbage. Not only will you and your house smell like it, you'll have allergies even if you never had before, and you will suffer from waking up in the middle of the night from smoke in your house. This goes on year round. During the dryer times of the year you'll also have a lot of dust. The larger particles will wreak havoc with your respiratory system. The haboobs will cause even more issues. - Mar 2016
Usually very good. Occasional large dust storms, accompanied by strong winds, can really darken the sky and make things unpleasant, but these are not everyday occurrences. - Jun 2015
It's extremely bad. The city is under a perpetual smog of burning trash, especially near the Embassy. About six months out of the year the haboob dust storms are ever-present causing a lot of dust allergies. - Mar 2015
It varies; some days are really gorgeous but there's always dust. Dust storms happen in the fall. - Apr 2014
I would say unhealthy...there is always dust in the air and we are always coughing. - Apr 2010
