Summary:
- Conflict in Sudan has resulted in about 7.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs).
- Fighting between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces is the primary cause of displacement.
- Majorly affected areas include the River Nile, East Darfur, and Northern states.
- An army airstrike in Khartoum led to significant casualties, especially among women and children.
- Over a million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries like Chad and South Sudan.
- The IOM emphasizes the critical need for peace and points out challenges in delivering aid due to the conflict.
Sudan’s deteriorating security situation has led to a substantial spike in internal displacement, with the numbers almost doubling since the conflict’s onset in April, as reported by the UN’s migration agency. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) revealed that the current count of internally displaced stands at around 7.1 million, with a staggering 3.8 million having been displaced in recent months due to confrontations between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group.
The majority of these displaced individuals find temporary shelter in regions such as the River Nile, East Darfur, Northern, South Darfur, Sennar, and White Nile states. The capital, Khartoum, is continuously besieged by outbreaks of violence, including a recent army airstrike that resulted in the tragic loss of many lives, notably women and children.
RSF commander, Gen Mohamed Dagalo, recently vocalized his stance, stating that his efforts are aimed at reinstating democracy in Sudan and denouncing army chief Abdel Fattah Al Burhan. In addition to internal displacement, over a million Sudanese citizens have taken refuge in neighboring nations, including Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Federico Soda, the director of IOM’s Department of Operations and Emergencies, stressed the Sudanese population’s dire need for peace. He mentioned, “The people of Sudan deserve peace. Any further escalation of violence would further devastate the country and the region.” War-monitoring entities estimate the death toll due to the conflict to be around 5,000. Half of Sudan’s population is currently in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, a situation worsened by the soaring prices of basic commodities and a healthcare system under duress.
The IOM, while expressing commitment to aiding Sudan, acknowledged the considerable challenges posed by the ongoing strife, which impedes their ability to reach the most vulnerable. The agency commented on the difficulties faced by aid organizations, noting the challenges in accessing those most in need due to the heightened hostilities and obstacles in the country.
