UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned on Tuesday that the horrors of the war in Sudan are spilling over into neighboring countries, while the international community continues to turn its back on the Sudanese people.
In a statement, Grandi said that continued disregard for the situation in Sudan, now entering its third year of war, would have “catastrophic consequences” for both the country and the region. He emphasized, “We must do everything we can to bring peace to Sudan. Humanitarian aid must be increased, and support for development must be strengthened. Ignoring the situation will lead to disastrous consequences.” He also warned Europeans about the potential influx of Sudanese refugees if adequate assistance is not provided.
Grandi added that the Sudanese people are trapped in a cycle of war, widespread abuses, humiliation, hunger, and other hardships, while facing the indifference of the outside world, which has shown little interest in peace in Sudan or in helping its neighbors for the past two years.
He also noted that it is not only the Sudanese who have been neglected, but the world has largely turned its back on the countries and communities that have taken in large numbers of refugees.
The High Commissioner stressed that the stability of the entire region is at risk, and there is an urgent need for both humanitarian protection and development aid so that host governments can provide a better future for both refugees and their own citizens.
Grandi further stated that the impact of the horrors of war extends beyond neighboring countries, as Sudanese refugees reach Uganda and cross Libya on perilous journeys to Europe. “These refugees deserve—and need—their basic rights to safety, dignity, education, work, health care, housing, and peace to be respected. Many have embarked on this journey in search of these rights, and many more will follow.”
