UNHCR: Dire Humanitarian Situation in Sudan
Agencies- Sudan Events
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, continues to sound the alarm over the war in Sudan, where displacement is deepening as hundreds of thousands more people flee the latest fighting in central Al Jazirah State, southeast of the capital, Khartoum.
UNHCR also voiced concern over reports of an escalation in the conflict in the Darfur region, where renewed fighting in El Fasher, North Darfur, on Saturday, resulted in civilian casualties, injuries and further displacement, followed by looting of homes and shops, and arrests of youth.
An aerial attack was also reported in Nyala in South Darfur, causing casualties and the destruction of homes.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting – including airstrikes and shootings – was reported on the outskirts of Wad Madani, capital of Gezira State, on Friday, which has now reached the town. Over half a million people had fled there from Khartoum after conflict between rival military forces first broke out in mid- April.
Between 250,000 and 300,000 have fled the town and surrounding areas since the clashes began, according to UN migration agency IOM.
Mr. Spindler said UNHCR is working to deliver and distribute urgently needed core relief items to the people newly displaced from Gezira to Sennar and Gedaref States.
“Despite efforts by national and international humanitarian organizations and local actors to provide assistance, the overall humanitarian situation remains dire,” he warned.
The war that erupted in April between the Sudanese Army and a rival militia known as the Rapid Support Forces has forced more than seven million people in Sudan to flee their homes, including to seek shelter in neighbouring countries, many of whom have been repeatedly uprooted.
UNHCR are very worried that if the fighting further escalates and spreads to White Nile State, it could significantly impact the work of humanitarian organizations supporting over 437,000 South Sudanese refugees and some 433,000 internally displaced Sudanese there.
The UN Secretary-General has also expressed deep concern about reports of fighting in the vicinity of Wad Medani, his Spokesperson told journalists in New York on Tuesday.
Stéphane Dujarric noted that the town has served as a hub for humanitarian operations since the start of the conflict and had not been directly impacted by the fighting until now.
“The continued escalation of violence in Sudan is devastating for the country and the region,” he said.
He reiterated the UN’s call for the warring sides to immediately cease fighting and to commit to a durable cessation of hostilities.
