Watch out... Its a catastrophe!
By Yusuf Siraj
Approximately 7 million people have been displaced due to the war in Khartoum and the volatile regions of Darfur and Kordofan. Reports from the International Organization for Migration indicate that more than half of them fled recently during the fourth month since the outbreak of fighting in mid-April last year.
Renewed waves of displacement for hundreds of families from neighborhoods and suburbs of Khartoum, which are witnessing an escalation in the intensity of the conflict, were expected to increase following the deaths of dozens and the serious injuries of hundreds of civilians as a result of airstrikes and the use of heavy weapons.
Overwhelmed hospitals operating under challenging conditions and limited resources are incapable of providing first aid to the wounded, let alone treating these critical cases due to a shortage of medical supplies and essential medicines.
The consequences and effects of the ongoing war for nearly five months ring alarm bells and widen the range of possibilities, creating a dire reality that we hope can be addressed by intensifying appeals to the international community and humanitarian organizations to ensure the provision of protection and urgent assistance.
Reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) anticipate an increase in the number of Sudanese refugees due to the war to reach 1.8 million by the end of the year. They have called for the provision of one billion dollars to assist them amidst reports of rising disease rates and fatalities.
It is evident that the widening scope of the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe that threatens the lives of millions, not only among those fleeing conflict zones but also affecting the overall situation in states beyond the armed conflict areas. Waves of displacement continue to flow into states in central and northern Sudan amid challenging economic and living conditions and a shortage of essential services such as water, electricity, and healthcare.
The visit of the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Greenfield, to Chad and the border with Darfur to inspect the conditions of Sudanese refugees is an important practical step in shedding light on the worsening humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the United States has pledged an additional 163 million in aid to Sudan and the countries hosting refugees fleeing the horrors of the war in Sudan.
