The Humanitarian Aid Commission activated the National Flood Task Force on 18 August.[1] There has been public criticism of the government response.[2] MP Al-Fadil Hag Suleima, head of the parliamentary subcommittee on Legislation and Justice, accused the administration of Omar al-Bashir of negligence in its response to the floods, and also stated that the states' governments were locating houses on flood plains for financial gain. Sudanese bloggers have been harshly critical, accusing the Khartoum state government of hiring companies associated with the ruling National Congress Party to build failed sewage and infrastructure projects. In response, two Khartoum state ministers accused Facebook bloggers of being "seculars" do not believe in the "act of God."[7] The public outcry over the government response is seen as giving fresh energy to attempts to ignite an "Arab Spring-style uprising."[8]