Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as the ongoing conflict approaches its 1000th day. The war has triggered the largest displacement crisis globally, with the current response falling far short of the immense needs, according to the United Nations.
A UN spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres stated that insecurity is severely hampering the work of humanitarian response teams. The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Marcus Birne, confirmed that over 10 million Sudanese have been displaced internally, with an additional 4 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
In a previous statement, Birne highlighted the disproportionate impact on women and girls, with some facing sexual violence amidst the collapse of essential services. This has had a devastating effect on childbirth and overall health conditions. He also pointed to drone attacks in Darfur and Atbara targeting energy infrastructure, causing significant damage to health facilities and endangering patients.
A new wave of displacement, driven by deteriorating security, has seen the city of Kosti in White Nile State receiving over 1500 displaced people from the Heglig area of West Kordofan. These individuals endured a perilous journey, fleeing escalating dangers and the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) control of the region.
Displaced individuals reported that the journey was fraught with risks, characterized by exhaustion, thirst, and severe fatigue. They also alleged drone strikes on their homes. Lamia Abdullah, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid in White Nile State, described the situation of the displaced as dire, emphasizing that the current response remains insufficient. She stated that the journey takes days and is incredibly arduous, noting that children arrived in extremely poor health conditions. She urgently called on international and UN organizations to immediately assist White Nile State.
Despite Kosti’s reception of this wave of displaced people, the Humanitarian Aid Commission in West Kordofan reports that hundreds of families remain stranded in Heglig and surrounding areas, desperately seeking a safe passage. Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the army and the RSF, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of approximately 13 million people. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, demanding immediate and sustained international attention. The need for aid and safe passage is critical.
