Over one million people have fled the conflict in Sudan to South Sudan, prompting a severe humanitarian crisis. The conflict erupted in April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced. The UN has called for increased support, as resources in South Sudan are critically overstretched.
The United Nations has reported that over one million individuals have fled the ongoing conflict in Sudan to seek refuge in neighboring South Sudan, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis. The conflict, which began in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and a rival paramilitary faction, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and displaced over 12 million people from their homes.
In the past 21 months, more than 770,000 people have used the Joda border crossing, in addition to many others who have crossed through various routes, bringing the total number of refugees to over one million, according to recent UN statistics. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) disclosed that most of these individuals are South Sudanese who had previously escaped their nation’s civil conflicts.
Sanaa Abdalla Omer from the UNHCR emphasized that the arrival of over one million refugees reflects the expanding crisis, stating, “The arrival of over a million people into South Sudan is a stark and sobering statistic…” Omer also commended the generosity of the South Sudanese people while underscoring that they cannot bear this burden alone as the country’s resources are overwhelmed.
The joint statement from the UN has urged for increased support for both the displaced populations and hosting communities, as essential resources in South Sudan, including healthcare and shelter, are insufficient. Moreover, some transit centers, intended for 5,000 individuals, are now accommodating over 16,000.
Tensions are escalating in South Sudan, evident from recent violence where 16 Sudanese nationals were killed following protests. Sudan itself faces an extreme internal displacement crisis along with declared famine in several regions. The conflict is characterized by intense strife between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF has been accused of committing grave human rights violations, including ethnic cleansing and systematic sexual violence. Research conducted in November estimated that over 61,000 people died in the initial 14 months of the war, factoring in deaths from disease and starvation.
The ongoing war in Sudan has triggered one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, leading to significant displacement of people. Since April 2023, hostilities between Sudan’s military and the RSF have exacerbated an already precarious situation, with a vast number of individuals fleeing to South Sudan, a nation itself emerging from decades of conflict. The influx of refugees places immense pressure on South Sudan’s limited resources, prompting urgent calls for international assistance and support.
The UN’s alarming statistics reveal the critical humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict in Sudan, which has now displaced over one million individuals to South Sudan. As the situation escalates, there is an urgent requirement for increased support for both the refugees and the communities providing sanctuary. The international community must respond promptly to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this conflict and the resultant humanitarian catastrophe.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
