Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, recently announced a family-based humanitarian pathway that enables Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals to permanently reunite with their family in Canada. This pathway is open for those who are extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, provided they resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023.
The ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, and the Sudanese Armed Forces have been deteriorating since April 15. As reported by the UN Refugee Agency in June, the estimated number of people fleeing from the ongoing conflict in Sudan is predicted to surpass one million more rapidly than previously projected.
By August, the UN International Organization for Migration Sudan had reported that more than 4.4 million people had been forced to flee Sudan, and over one million people had sought refuge outside of Sudan.
In Wad Madani, Sudan’s second-largest city, there have been reports of widespread killing, maiming, and detaining of civilians since December 15. During this period, the area also witnessed an attack on a hospital, some of which were allegedly ethnically motivated. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concerns about these human rights violations and reported that at least 250,000 people in Wad Madani have been displaced so far.
In response to the atrocities taking place in Sudan, Canada launched a series of temporary immigration measures for Sudanese nationals since the outbreak of armed conflict. Canada has also allocated over $165 million this year in humanitarian assistance funding to experienced partners in Sudan and neighboring countries impacted by the crisis.
Minister Miller voiced serious concerns regarding the ongoing conflicts and humanitarian situations in Sudan, stating that “Canada will continue to help those in need and uphold our humanitarian traditions as a country.”