Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens as the world looks away

Although the situation in Sudan has received little attention, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. Indeed, as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) points out, “Sudan is facing one of the world’s most rapidly developing crises, with unprecedented needs in such a short period of time. It is emerging.”

On February 23, 2024, OCHA provided an update on the severity of the issue. According to OCHA, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Force (RSF) has displaced more than 8.1 million people (approximately 15% of the country’s total population) since April 2023, of which approximately 6.3 million has been evacuated. Approximately 1.8 million people fled the country. Nearly four million children are among those displaced, making Sudan the world’s largest child displacement crisis. Of the 1.8 million people who have fled the country, more than 1.6 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries of the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Approximately 25 million people, including more than 14 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance and assistance. Approximately 17.7 million people (37% of the population) face severe hunger, with 4.9 million at emergency levels. OCHA further states that “at least 3.5 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2024, of which more than 700,000 will suffer from severe acute malnutrition and receive specialized, uninterrupted life-saving treatment.” It is expected that this will be necessary,” he added.

While humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance to some of those in need, OCHA reports that there are challenges in providing humanitarian assistance. These include “insecurity, looting, bureaucratic bottlenecks, poor network and telephone connectivity, lack of cash, and shortages of local technical and humanitarian staff. “Fuel shortages also impact the movement of humanitarian staff and supplies, as well as the generation of electricity needed for operations (e.g. maintaining cold chain storage and water supply).”

The Sudan Epidemic Dashboard of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded approximately 10,730 suspected cholera cases as of February 19, 2024, including Includes 296 related deaths. Although the trend is said to be on the decline, 15 million people across the country do not have access to medical care, and due to ongoing conflict, 70-80% of medical facilities are not functioning, which is extremely worrying. The situation continues.

As the conflict intensifies, the dire humanitarian situation will continue. A newly released UN report examines the situation from April to December 2023, based on interviews with 303 victims and witnesses, as well as analysis of photos, videos, satellite images and other open source information. This report shows the severity and nature of atrocities from April to December 2023. Sudan.

The report found, among other things, that thousands of people were killed in RSF attacks in Darfur and that some attacks were ethnically motivated. The report states that between May and November 2023, the RSF and its allied Arab militias carried out at least 10 attacks against civilians in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, killing thousands of people and Most identify themselves as members of Africa’s Masalit ethnic community. .

The report revealed that by mid-December 2023, at least 118 people had been subjected to sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, and attempted rape. At least 19 children were among the victims. Many of the rapes were said to have been committed by RSF members in their homes or on the streets. One woman was repeatedly gang-raped over a period of 35 days.

Commenting on the findings, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said: “We must silence the guns and protect civilians. A credible resumption of inclusive talks to restore civilian-led government is desperately needed to pave the way forward.” ” But the evidence shows that there is no end in sight.UN reported on ‘credible video evidence’ [showing] Several students traveling by road in North Kordofan state may have been beheaded by men in SAF uniforms in the city of El Obeid (…) on February 15. Video footage posted on social media shows decapitated troops marching through the streets. while chanting ethnic slurs. ”

As the world turns a blind eye, perpetrators enjoy unprecedented impunity. The silence of the world will decide the fate of the Sudanese people.

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