Sudan Conflict
By Mekonnen Teshome
As Sudan shares borders with seven countries :– Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, the Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Chad and Eritrea, international humanitarian organizations are expressing concerns over the possibility of huge influx of refugees to affect these countries.
Clashes between Sudan’s military and the country’s main paramilitary force have left at least 56 dead, while control of the presidential palace and the international airport in Khartoum is in doubt after disputed claims from both sides, in fighting that threatens to destabilise Sudan and the wider region.
The Sudanese army is led by the country’s de facto head of state General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, while the RSF is commandeered by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti.
UNHCR urges de-escalation of conflicts
The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, in its statement has joined the UN Secretary-General in expressing alarm over the ongoing armed clashes in Sudan.
“We are deeply concerned about the safety and security of civilians in the areas affected by the fighting, including refugees and internally displaced people. We echo his calls for a peaceful resolution to the dispute,” the statement said.
“This escalation in violence will only hinder the humanitarian response to those in need across the country and delay stability and solutions for millions of displaced in the region.”
Following the tragic loss of three World Food Programme personnel as a result of the renewed fighting, UNHCR expresses its deepest sympathy to their families and loved ones, the UN agency underscored.
“We call for all parties to protect civilians, including refugees and displaced people, and to respect the safety of humanitarian staff so that critical aid can be delivered.”
According to the statement, UNHCR has not yet received reports of movement of refugees to neighboring countries as a result of the recent events. However, we remain ready to respond and support in Sudan and the region as needed.
ISudan Conflict and RC’s Concern
International Rescue Committee (IRC) also said that due to the recent conflict in the Ethiopia’s Tigray region, there are over 70,000 refugees Ethiopian in Eastern Sudan and it said that these refugees, with a high volume of unaccompanied minors who have often experienced trauma and abuse on their journey to Sudan, need vital support including food, protection and healthcare.
Medical Teams International Pauses Its Life-Saving Healthcare Programs in Sudan Due to Conflict
Due to the recent conflict and insecurity in Sudan, Medical Teams International, a global humanitarian and health organization, has had to pause its work while still conducting some essential activities within the refugee camps it serves, MTI announced in its statement.
All Medical Teams staff in Sudan are currently safe and accounted for. Staff in the capital city, Khartoum, are hibernating in place, because conditions are too dangerous for people to move about or to evacuate.
In response to the large influx of refugees from northern Ethiopia into eastern Sudan that began in November 2020, Medical Teams began working in Sudan in January 2021. Medical Teams has been working directly with local communities to address the unique health needs they face, the satatement added.
“Medical Teams seeks to improve quality of care and helps to build connections to and trust in the local health system for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities. (There are currently more than 73,000 Ethiopians taking refuge in settlements in Sudan.) Medical Teams’ work in Sudan is accomplished in partnership with ZOA, an international humanitarian organization and partner in Integral Alliance.”
Sudden and unexpected fighting erupted and spread quickly over the weekend in Khartoum and in some other parts of the country. The conflict is exacerbating the current humanitarian crisis and creating additional healthcare needs. Medical Teams is preparing to respond and to address the growing needs as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Medical Teams has been privileged to provide life-saving care in Sudan in recent years,” said Martha Newsome, President & CEO of Medical Teams. “We want to continue this critical humanitarian work. We are praying for a quick cessation of these hostilities and the ability for our team to safely continue or expand our program activities in Sudan.”
International Humanitarian Agencies Are in Difficulty
The World Health Organization (WHO) says Sudan’s warring sides have seized ambulances and that the violence has forced hospitals to shut down.
“The situation of the health system for years was very fragile in Sudan and suffer from many challenges. The armed conflict between the two parties led to hospitals being out of service and staff shortages,” Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Al Jazeera.
“There is a shortage of ambulances due to their seizure by both sides of the conflict,” Al-Mandhari said.
As of September, Al Jazeera reported, Ethiopia, the region’s most populous country, had more than two million internally displaced people, an outcome of natural disasters and a brutal conflict between the country’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) that governed the Tigray region. Ethiopia also hosts nearly a million refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. Meanwhile, Chad is home to 370,000 Sudanese refugees.
“As it stands, both sides are still fighting for control of key strategic infrastructure,” Eguegu said. That al-Burhan’s forces have been unable to gain a decisive edge despite having the Sudanese air force at their disposal “speaks to the strengths of the RSF”, he added. The battle-hardened militia has been accused of war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region and has fought alongside Sudanese and Emirati forces in Yemen.
“Without immediate mediation, we may see a protracted conflict,” Eguegu said. “Which will cause a refugee crisis.”