As hostilities continue to flare in Sudan, international organizations are offering their utmost support to vulnerable people. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, and many other humanitarian organizations are warning that the conflict is having a devastating impact on the civilian population. This is indirectly increasing the number of refugees and internally displaced people across the country.

Thus far, serious fighting and insecurity has driven tens of thousands to flee in search of safety within and outside their country.

Work for rights organs like the UNHCR has been temporarily suspended. It is extremely dangerous for support organizations to offer lifesaving assistance to people in Khartoum, the Darfur’s and North Kordofan. 

As expected, this suspension adds to the protective risk. Those dependent  on humanitarian assistance to survive are in dare situations.

Though efforts to continue operations and help has been minimal, it is applaudable that some refugee community leaders and refugee committee members, can still be contacted. Support is still provided to some refugees via counselling.

Refugee camps in Sudan

Graciously, refugee camps in Gedaref, Kassala, White Nile and Blue Nile, as well as refugee settlements in South and West Kordofan are so far relatively calm with essential services running, including health and water. Based on UNHCR reports, around 33,000 refugees have fled Khartoum to find safety in the refugee camps in White Nile State. Also, almost 2,000 are in the camps in Gedaref. Additionally, 5,000 to Kassala since the crisis started unfolding a few weeks ago.

What is the role of the World Food Program and other organizations in Sudan

WFP has been providing food in-country in collaboration with other UN agencies, such as UNICEF. Locally, NGOs are willing to support as the extreme concerns for assistance grow. Sadly, until politicians make a firm decision to end this distasteful saga, innocent civilians, including women and children, will only continue to suffer.

Major challenges in Sudan

Access to and sharing of information with displaced communities. This seriously affects data collection in certain locations. 

Lack of electricity

Fuel shortages 

Poor connectivity. This is sadly limiting everyone’s ability to communicate effectively.

UNHCR reports that a number of sites hosting internally displaced people have been burned to the ground. At the same time, civilian houses and humanitarian premises are being hit by bullets.

Which region is the most affected?

Darfur leads the chain as one of the regions most affected by violence and high levels of criminality, even prior to the current situation.  It is no surprise that current hostilities may fuel pre-existing ethnic and intercommunal tensions over land and access to resources. That will indirectly trigger greater displacement and increase the need for humanitarian aid. This would have disastrous implications for a region and continent already facing large migration.

Which countries have supported

The UNHCR ha confirmed that in Chad, with the collaboration of the Government, they have verified 7,500 refugees. This is out of at least 20,000 who have crossed the border in the last week or so. To add, some 14,000 people have fled to South Sudan, mainly South Sudanese returning.  

On the other hand, in Egypt, the Government has reported 16,000 crossings, of which 14,000 are Sudanese. UNHCR is working with the UN, the Government and partners like Sudanese community leaders and the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) to support people fleeing and in need of international protection. They have all made a coordinated plan to respond to the needs of those crossing.  Some of the Sudanese families who crossed have approached UNHCR in Cairo for registration.  

At the other border with the Central African Republic and Ethiopia, the UNHCR has noted lower numbers of arrivals. They are uncertain to confirm the exact figures.

Recommendations

UNHCR calls on parties to the conflict to cease hostilities immediately to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those who need it most. Equally, fighting parties should allow people trying to flee the fighting to do so safely. All parties must protect civilians, including refugees and displaced people, as well as the safety of humanitarian staff and civilian infrastructure as emphasized in all international peace conventions. 

The geometric speed of people moving out of the country makes it challenging for the UNHCR and other rights bodies to know the precise numbers of new refugee arrivals.

Those staggering numbers are predicted to increase as time goes. Peace is a loud call now. The Sudanese authorities need to devise a stable peace plan to end the untold miseries their actions are causing on non-violent civilians. Children are compelled to deal with no school and trauma. 

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