Fear and loss multiply in Sudan exodus

More than 8.5 million Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan since war broke out between rival armies last April, the UN Refugee Agency reported on Tuesday (UNHCR).

At least 1.8 million of them fled across the border to the neighboring countries, South Sudan, Chad, Central African Republic, Egypt and Ethiopia, as well as Uganda.

Thousands more arrive every day, agency spokesperson Olga Sarrado told reporters at a news conference in Geneva.

The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and their militias “has shattered people's lives, filling them with fear and loss,” Sarrado said.

Destroyed urban middle class

According to reports, More than 13,000 people have died, thousands more have been injuredand attacks against civilians and sexual and gender-based violence related to the conflict do not stop.

“Sudan has experienced the almost total destruction of its urban middle class. Architects, doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers and students have lost everything,” Sarrado said.

“Access limitations, security risks and logistical problems are hampering the humanitarian response. Without income, and in the midst of the Disruption of aid deliveries and harvests, people cannot get foodwhich warns of worsening hunger and malnutrition in some parts of the country,” he added.

Host countries

South Sudan is the country that has received the most refugees, some 640,000 people, and an average of 1,800 continue to arrive every day, increasing pressure on overwhelmed infrastructure and aggravating the enormous humanitarian needs.

In Chad, the number exceeds 560,000 and, although UNHCR and its humanitarian partners have managed to relocate the majority of refugees to new and expanded settlements, More than 150,000 remain in border areas in overcrowded and unsanitary conditionslargely due to lack of funds.

Ethiopia, already hosting one of the largest refugee populations in Africa, also reported continued arrivals of new refugees, recently surpassing 50,000.

desperate needs

The situation of women and children is especially alarming.

“Border crossers, mostly women and children, arrive in remote areas with little or nothing and in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical care. Many families have been separated and arrive in distress,” Sarrado said.

“Parents and children have witnessed or suffered appalling violence, so psychosocial support is a priority,” he added.

Critically low funding

The agency's spokeswoman warned that, despite the magnitude of the crisis, “funding remains critically low.”

Only the 7% of funds needed for the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan 2024, while the response effort within the country is only 6% funded.

“There is a need for the international community to firmly commit to supporting Sudan and the countries hosting refugees to ensure that people forced to flee by war can live with dignity,” Sarrado urged.