Sudan: Needs increase as people continue to flee fighting in Kordofan

Sudan: Needs increase as people continue to flee fighting in Kordofan
Sudan: Needs increase as people continue to flee fighting in Kordofan

Since Sunday, more than 1,000 people were recently displaced from Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan state, as well as the cities of Dilling and El Koaik.

They are reportedly seeking refuge in four other states: North and West Kordofan, Khartoum and White Nile.

Thousands on the move

Fighting in Kordofan has intensified as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their battle for control of the country.

Aid workers report that people have also arrived in the White Nile from parts of West Kordofan state that have seen intense fighting this month, including the towns of Babanusa and Heglig.

According to local authorities, about 1,600 people, mostly women and children, arrived in the town of Kosti in White Nile state on Tuesday.

A tough journey to safety

Many of those who arrived endured journeys lasting more than a week – often through neighboring South Sudan – and showed clear signs of trauma, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York.

“While our humanitarian partners are providing them with basic shelter, health, water, sanitation, food and protection assistance, the needs are outstripping available resources,” he said.

“At the same time, our partners report that more than 3,000 people have crossed from the Kordofan region into Yida, South Sudan, in recent days, and further displacements are expected.”

More arrivals expected

Meanwhile, people from Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur regions are fleeing east to Gedaref state. About 2,500 people recently arrived in the town of Al Fao, authorities said Monday, and more are expected in the coming days.

Displacement also continues to increase in the northern state’s city of Ad Dabbah, where more than 15,000 people from the Kordofan and Darfur regions are already taking refuge in Al Afad camp.

Assistance is expanding, but efforts to support food security and livelihoods and provide cash assistance remain underfunded.”said Mr. Haq.

Millions of displaced people throughout the country

The UN migration agency, IOM, estimates that More than 9.3 million people remain internally displaced in Sudan’s 18 states.along with more than three million returnees in nine states. More than half are children.

“Nearly a third of displaced families and a fifth of returning households have reported going all day and night without food over the past month, while access to healthcare and sanitation remains very limited,” Haq said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also sounding the alarm over reports that More than 70 health workers and some 5,000 civilians have been forcibly detained in Nyala.capital of South Darfur state, he added.

Protect civilians, enable delivery of aid

As the war continues, the UN continues to call for the protection of civilians and safe humanitarian access throughout Sudan.

Last Saturday, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in drone attacks on a UN logistics base in Kadugli. They were deployed with the UN force in Abyei, the disputed region bordering South Sudan.

The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, noted that At least 104 civilians have been killed in drone strikes in the Kordofan region since December 4.including a strike that affected a daycare center and a hospital.

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