UNHCR Calls on the International Community Not to Forget the Situation in Sudan
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern about the worsening crisis of forced displacement in Sudan and neighboring countries. Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing due to the expansion of fighting into the state of Al Jazirah. The UNHCR has once again called on the warring parties to end the conflict, respect the safety of civilians according to international law, allow access to humanitarian aid, and urged the international community "not to forget the situation in Sudan" and to provide funds to assist the displaced and refugees.
William Spindler, the spokesperson for the UNHCR, revealed in a press conference in Geneva on Tuesday that the shift of the conflict to the state of Al Jazirah has resulted in the displacement of between 250,000 to 300,000 people from the city of Wad Medani and surrounding areas to the states of Sennar and Al Qadarif since the Rapid Support Forces penetrated the state on Friday, December 15.
"With this latest round of fighting, reports indicate that panic has spread among the civilian population in Wad Medani. People were seen leaving the city in vehicles and on foot, some for the second time in just a few months," he added.
Spindler explained that the UNHCR is working to urgently deliver and distribute essential relief materials for the newly displaced from Al Jazirah to the states of Sennar and Al Qadarif, "but the overall humanitarian situation is dire."
He expressed serious concern about the possibility of the conflict expanding to the White Nile state after the Rapid Support Forces took control of Wad Medani, stating, "We are very concerned that if the fighting escalates and extends to the White Nile state, it may significantly impact the work of the UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations."
He clarified that the spread of fighting or any new influx of displaced persons could lead to the disruption of health, water, sanitation, and public hygiene services, resulting in severe consequences. Spindler noted that humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide vital assistance to over 437,000 refugees from South Sudan and approximately 433,000 internally displaced Sudanese there.
There are also reports of people moving towards South Sudan, where the border city of Renk is suffering from severe overcrowding and lacks sufficient aid to meet the needs of those who have already arrived. Heavy rains have made roads impassable, hindering the resettlement of refugees.
