The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is sounding the alarm over what they are describing as a “significant humanitarian crisis” unfolding in Sudan. During a recent press briefing, Dominique Hyde, Director of the External Relations Department for the UNHCR, detailed that the ongoing conflict has resulted in increased violence and significant distress amongst the Sudanese population, sparking international concern. Hyde emphasised that there appears to be little global attention regarding the widespread breaches of international humanitarian law in Sudan. Read the UNHCR briefing here.
Worryingly, amidst the ongoing conflict, the UNHCR has noted an uptick in Sudanese people seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Chad appears to be a critical focal point, with an estimated influx of approximately 700 new arrivals each day. Sudanese refugees constitute the majority of the 20,000 people currently housed at Renk’s shelter – which was initially designed to accommodate only 3,000 individuals.
Fighting in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has escalated rapidly. Toby Harward, the UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, has publicly described the recent burst of violence in the area as “sickening”. Harward detailed reports of deliberate attacks against civilians, gross violations of human rights, and massacres in the wake of the RSF’s takeover of parts of West Darfur, and called on Sudanese authorities to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and enable humanitarian access to those most vulnerable.
The ongoing armed conflict began on April 15 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The fallout has been extensive, with estimates of over 9,000 casualties, around 5.7 million displaced people, and approximately 25 million people urgently requiring humanitarian aid. Experts from both the UN and various human rights organisations have vocalised the need for international intervention. A call to action letter from distinguished human rights organisations last October highlights the need for a consolidated international response to the Sudan crisis, expressing concern over the documented instances of attacks against civilians and sexual violence in the region.