Sudan Situation Overview OCHA 28 Dec 2023: Clashes in Wad Medani between SAF and RSF

From UN OCHA SUDAN

Flash Update No: 05

Dated Thursday, 28 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Clashes in Wad Medani between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

More than 250,000 – 300,000 people have fled Aj Jazirah State following the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around Wad Madani, the capital of Aj Jazirah State, according to the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). Fighting broke out in the morning of 15 December between the SAF and the RSF in the outskirts of Wad Medani, 136 km southeast of the national capital Khartoum. On December 18, RSF reportedly entered Wad Medani town and by December 19 took control of the city.

There are reports of displaced people from Wad Medani and other parts of Aj Jazirah State arriving in Gedaref, Kassala, Red Sea, Sennar and White Nile states. Mobile network and internet connectivity challenges in parts of Aj Jazirah, White Nile and other adjacent areas are making it difficult for partners to collate information on the latest numbers of people displaced and their immediate needs. The number of displaced people by destination and hosting location will be available once the numbers are registered and verified.

Many IDPs reportedly arrived at the existing IDP gathering sites (collective centers) in and around Gedaref and Sennar. The majority sought shelter within the host communities, and local authorities and partners in Gedaref estimate that about 15,000 people have sought shelter with the host communities in Gedaref town, the capital of Gedaref State.

In Red Sea State, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) has reported that on 25 September an estimated 3,000 IDPs from Wad Medani arrived in Port Sudan, and another 980 on 26 December, with more IDPs expected in the coming days. The Red Sea State Committee on displacement and relief issues identified nine new sites at Al Souk al Shabi – mainly schools - to receive the newly displaced people. HAC reported an urgent need for shelter, food and non-food supplies for the newly arriving IDPs. Some of the new IDPs are living with host communities in the city.

Humanitarian response
Host communities in the localities receiving IDPs from Wad Medani are responding to meet the basic needs of the arriving IDPs. Site Management Cluster partners are closely coordinating with local authorities in Gedaref, where authorities have activated a daily emergency cell meeting to monitor the situation and ensure preparedness for increased arrivals to the town centre. Humanitarian partners in Gedaref have come forward with responses across WASH, Health, Protection and Food assistance to the IDPs once the relocation site is finalised and the IDPs start arriving on site. An inter-sectoral rapid needs assessment (ISRNA) is proposed in Gedaref among the communities displaced from Aj Jazirah. The local authorities are supporting the ISRNA, which would help the humanitarian actors to mobilise resources for the response. ISRNA will commence once the list of IDP gathering sites has been finalised by the authorities in Gedaref.

In Kassala, about 3,000 new IDPs from Aj Jazirah’s Medani Al Kubra locality, Hantoub administrative unit received high energy biscuits and Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF) for pregnant and lactating women and children from WFP as the initial food support for 4-5 days, with more comprehensive food and livelihoods assistance to come as the needs assessments are finalised and the numbers of the displaced people become available.

In Red Sea State, the Port Sudan Youth Initiative started providing ready meals with limited resources. The Red Sea Gathering Site Coordination Meeting on 27 December agreed to field an inter-agency assessment mission in the coming days to two IDP hosting locations in Port Sudan - Abdalla Nagi and Salalab Al Garbia.

In Sennar, HAC reported that about 1,770 displaced households arrived at various locations in Sennar and Sinja localities since the fighting started in Wad Medani. Humanitarian partners continue providing support to newly arrived IDPs from Aj Jazirah and also those from Khartoum.

The State Council for Child Welfare, in collaboration and with support from UNICEF, continues the registration of separated and unaccompanied children to provide services for them in all localities of Sennar State.

Child Development Foundation (CDF) and Save the Children (SCI) opened 10 child friendly spaces through the Council for Child Welfare in Sennar and Sinja localities with support from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) and UNICEF. UNICEF, through the Council of Child Welfare, provided clothes and personal aids to children living with disabilities.

With support from UNICEF, the Council of Child Welfare activated 10 community-based protection networks (CBPNs) in Sennar and Sinja localities to provide protection services to children in need and refer cases for protection support. CDF established a CBPN targeting 60 people in the Suki locality. Also, the Council formulated a Women and Children Protection Network Group to trace and follow up on the issues of children's and mothers' protection.

Earlier this week, IMC provided medical supplies for two months to five primary healthcare centers (three in Suki and two in Sinja localities), in addition to the ongoing mobile clinic in Karkoug, Sinja locality, serving IDPs from Khartoum and Aj Jazirah. IMC provided more than 1,300 medical consultations to the IDPs. It has also provided nutrition services to the IDPs through outpatient therapeutic programs (OTP) at five primary healthcare centres (PHCs). IMC distributed hygiene cholera kits to 880 IDPs in three IDP gathering sides in the Sennar locality. IMC continues to support the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) Rapid Response Team (RRT) staffing and logistical support for the RRT.

CDF conducted training sessions on gender-based violence (GBV) and psychosocial support for 30 people in Sinja and Suki localities and GBV prevention awareness raising sessions for 30 people in the Sinja locality. It also established a community compliant feedback mechanism in Sennar locality.

Relief International (RI) will deploy shortly two mobile clinics to support IDPs from Aj Jazirah. A RI team from Blue Nile plans to visit Sennar state with one ambulance and medical supplies for the mobile clinics on 28 December.

In Blue Nile, HAC reported that about 500 IDPs arrived in Ed Damazine and more displaced people may arrive in the coming days. About 460 people are sheltering at two schools in Ed Damazine town - 243 people at Nahda school and 216 IDPs at Arkaweet school. Human Appeal and other organizations have provided some assistance to the displaced people, including food for IDPs at Nahda school. 

Background
After years of protracted crisis, Sudan plunged into a conflict of alarming scale when fighting between SAF and RSF broke out initially in Khartoum on April 15, and quickly expanded to other areas across the country. Khartoum has been the site of heavy fighting, while severe violent clashes and heavy bombardments have also been reported in the greater Darfur and Kordofan regions. The hostilities have resulted in extensive damage to critical infrastructure and facilities, including water and healthcare, the collapse of banking and financial services, frequent interruptions to electricity supply and telecommunication services and widespread looting. Since the conflict broke out, humanitarian needs have increased and almost 25 million people now require assistance in Sudan. More than 6.8 million people have been forced to leave their homes for safety elsewhere.

An estimated 5.9 million people live in Aj Jazirah State, Sudan’s breadbasket, with 700,000 living in Wad Medani. More than 270,000 people in the town need humanitarian assistance. Since April 15, 2023, nearly 500,000 people have fled to Al Jazirah State, 86,400 of whom are in Wad Medani. About 1.9 million people are in crisis (IPC 3) and have above-level food security in the state, with 179,000 in Medani between October 2023 and February 2024, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). There is an ongoing cholera outbreak in Aj Jazirah and neighboring states. 57 humanitarian organizations work in the state, including 25 INGOs, 21 NNGOs and six UN agencies. So far this year humanitarian organizations have reached 730,000 people in Aj Jazirah with food assistance, WASH, health and other humanitarian interventions.

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For more information, please contact: Alimbek Tashtankulov, Public Information Officer, OCHA Sudan, tashtankulov@un.org, Mob: +249 (0)912 160361

Download the Flash Update here

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South Sudan: IOM, UNHCR concerned about risks relocating refugees & returnees from border areas

“This tragic and senseless incident puts into question our entire strategy to relocate refugees arriving in South Sudan through Abyei to a safe location in Wedweil, where we opened a new settlement to receive refugees fleeing the Sudan crisis,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Representative, who is also currently serving as the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. Read more.

From Radio Tamazuj
Dated Friday, 15 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

IOM, UNHCR concerned about risks in relocating refugees and returnees from border areas

Returnees and refugees from Sudan in Renk, Upper Nile State. (File photo)

(JUBA CITY) - Two separate incidents have brought to the forefront the major challenges humanitarian agencies are facing in South Sudan, a joint IOM and UNHCR statement said earlier in the week.

In the first incident, two refugees were tragically killed in an attack against a convoy organized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) transporting Sudanese refugees from Abyei to the Wedweil refugee settlement. On the same day, a boat facilitated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) began taking on water due to high winds and rough water – all on board were moved to different boats and proceeded safely to Malakal.

According to the UN agencies, the two incidents highlight the considerable challenges that humanitarian partners are facing trying to help refugees and South Sudanese who are fleeing the fighting in Sudan to reach safety.

The boat began taking on water on Wednesday morning as it was attempting to leave the port of Kodok, in Upper Nile State. Local authorities and humanitarian partners immediately launched a rescue operation and all on board are now accounted for and safe, the joint statement said.

Since the start of the Sudan crisis in April, IOM has moved more than 105,000 people out of Renk by river and another 59,000 by plane to their final destinations across the country.

“Transport by river remains the only viable option to move returning South Sudanese arriving through the Joda Border Crossing Point to Malakal, and from there to their final destination,” said John McCue, IOM Chief of Mission in South Sudan. “The risks and challenges are huge but keeping people in Renk is not an option as reception sites are overcrowded and provision of basic services is stretched to breaking point.”

In the other incident, two refugees were abducted on Wednesday morning as they were crossing Twic County, Warrap State on their way from Abyei to the refugee settlement of Wedweil, near Aweil in Northern Bahr-e-Ghazal State onboard a UNHCR convoy. The vehicle carrying the two refugees was surrounded by armed youth who forced all onboard to alight and abducted two men, one 21-year-old, and the other - 62, both from Sudan’s Blue Nile State. Local authorities later reported that both of them had been found dead. The rest of the convoy made its way safely to Wedweil.

“This tragic and senseless incident puts into question our entire strategy to relocate refugees arriving in South Sudan through Abyei to a safe location in Wedweil, where we opened a new settlement to receive refugees fleeing the Sudan crisis,” said Marie-Helene Verney, UNHCR Country Representative, who is also currently serving as the acting Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan.

“Humanitarian partners have taken the lion's share of the immensely challenging job of moving people in distress who arrived at the South Sudan border fleeing for safety, however, the responsibility of ensuring that returnees, refugees, and humanitarian workers are safe lies firmly with the South Sudan’s Government” she added.

Both agencies called for renewed efforts from the Government to facilitate transportation of refugees and returnees to safe locations.

According to the UN, more than 438,000 people have arrived in South Sudan to escape the conflict in Sudan since April, of which 365,000 South Sudanese and 71,000 refugees. More than 24,000 refugees are stuck in Renk to the refugee camps in Maban County, Upper Nile State due to the current conditions. The road from Maban to Renk has been destroyed by the rains and while UNHCR is currently working on repairs, it has been requesting that the relevant ministries, as well as the private sector, take their share of the works.

 

View original:

https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/iom-unhcr-concerned-about-risks-in-relocating-refugees-and-returnees-from-border-areas

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Sudan UN OCHA Humanitarian Update (7 Dec 2023)

Analysis from UN OCHA

Dated Thursday, 7 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

 

SUDAN Humanitarian Update 7 December 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

• 6.6 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

• More than 12,190 people have been killed since the fighting broke out in mid-April.

• Eighty children have been identified among the people detained by Rapid Support Forces in Ardamata, West Darfur State.

• The number of suspected cholera cases has more than doubled over the past month reaching 5,414 cases, including 170 associated deaths.

• Insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity, lack of cash, and limited technical and humanitarian staff on the ground have affected the delivery of humanitarian aid in many parts of the country.

• The revised 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan appeal is only 38.6 per cent funded as of 7 December.

[SW Ed: to view a larger version visit the original and copy & paste the map]

Sudan Humanitarian Update (7 December 2023)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in mid-April, an estimated 6.6 million people have fled their homes, taking refuge inside and outside the country, with children representing about half of the people displaced. Sudan is now the country with the largest number of displaced people and the largest child displacement crisis in the world. ACLED estimates that more than 12,190 people have been killed since the fighting broke out in April, including 1,300 people who were killed between 28 October and 24 November. Compared to the previous four weeks, ACLED recorded a 10 per cent decrease in battles and a 38 per cent decrease in explosions and remote violence in Sudan.

According to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM) Sudan Monthly Displacement Overview (03), about 5.3 million people have been displaced within Sudan. People have been displaced in 5,473 locations across the country’s 18 states, an increase of 161 locations in one week. Overall, 47 per cent of the displaced people have sought refuge across the Darfur and Kordofan regions, whereas the majority (53 per cent) of the displaced people have been observed in the northern, eastern, and central states. Most of the people displaced, about 3.4 million (64.7 per cent of displaced), are from Khartoum and have sought shelter in River Nile, Aj Jazirah, White Nile, East Darfur, and Northern states. Most displaced people (64 per cent) live with host communities, while 12.7 per cent have taken refuge in schools and other public buildings. In addition, about 1.3 million people crossed into neighbouring countries since 15 April, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). People have crossed into neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Grave violations were reported against children detained by RSF in Ardamata

Eighty children have been identified among the people detained by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Ardamata, West Darfur, according to findings of a monitoring and reporting mechanism on grave violations against children. The actual number of child detainees could be higher, as multiple detention facilities exist within Ag Geneina. The ICRC is reportedly working to secure the release of these children. On 28 November, World Relief (WR) distributed mats and blankets to at least 80 children and is preparing for daily monitoring of the children. According to the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), over 700 people detained by RSF, many of whom are children, have yet to be released. The condition of the detainees is reported to be dire.

Suspected cholera cases have more than doubled over the past month

The number of suspected cholera cases has more than doubled over the past month and reached 5,414 cases, including 170 associated deaths as of 3 December, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and WHO Sudan Outbreaks Dashboard. There are 1,824 suspected cases of cholera and 48 associated deaths in Gedaref; 1,397 suspected cases and 23 associated deaths in Aj Jazirah; 794 suspected cases and 37 associated deaths in Red Sea; 463 suspected cases and 26 associated deaths in Khartoum; 453 suspected cases and 22 associated deaths in White Nile; 346 suspected cases and eight associated deaths in South Kordofan; 72 suspected cases and three associated deaths in Sennar; 63 suspected cases and three associated deaths in Kassala; and two suspected case in Blue Nile. The oral cholera vaccine (OCV) campaign that started last week covers about 2.2 million people. The OCV campaign in Gedaref State targeted over 1.57 million people in 6 localities, of whom 97 per cent were reached. The OCV vaccination campaign in Aj Jazirah State targeted about 693,000 people in one locality, of whom 99 per cent were vaccinated.

Effect of conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces on civilians

In East Darfur, armed clashes erupted between SAF and RSF on 20 November in Ad Du'ayn Town of Ad Du'ayn locality, reports IOM DTM. The clashes were reported in the military headquarters and Al Matar, Al Guba, Al Arab, Khour Omer, and Al Zariba Al Jadeeda neighbourhoods. IOM field teams report widespread displacement across East Darfur. Preliminary information indicates that approximately 3,000 families (about 15,000 people) were displaced to Bahr Al Arab locality; 2,500 families (about 12,500 people) were displaced to Al Firdous locality; 2,700 families (13,500 people) were displaced to Assalaya locality; and 1,500 households (7,500 people) were displaced to Abu Jabrah locality. As a result of the violence, 30 people were reportedly killed, and 60 others were injured. The situation is tense and unpredictable.

In West Kordofan, clashes erupted between the SAF and RSF on 27 and 30 November in Babanusa town of Babanusa locality, reports IOM DTM. The clashes reportedly took place at the Military Headquarters, as well as in Abu Ismail and Al Nasr neighbourhoods of Babanusa town. DTM field teams report that many people were injured due to the clashes and widescale civilian displacement to Al Gantoor, Et Tibbun, Um Ash, and El Deilma villages in Babanusa locality and to Kigeira Al Idd, Burta, Suntaya, Shuaa, and Bagara villages in As Salam locality. The number of people displaced is yet to be confirmed. The situation remains tense and unpredictable.

Effect of inter-communal conflict on civilians

In South Darfur, inter-communal clashes renewed between Salamat and Habaniya tribesmen on 22 November in Alsiwaina and Umm Kradees Villages of Buram locality, reports IOM DTM. This follows previous clashes between the two tribes within the same locality on 18 November 2023. As a result of the violence, 11 people were reportedly killed and about 9,400 people (1,880 families) were reportedly displaced to Buram Town. IOM field teams also received reports of the burning of personal property in the two villages. The situation remains tense and unpredictable.

In North Darfur, inter-communal clashes erupted between Zagawah, Al Tanhur, and Al Burti, tribesmen against Abala tribesmen between 29 and 30 November in Sarafaya, Um Oshosh, and Hilat Khamis villages in Al Fasher locality, reports IOM DTM. The incident reportedly occurred following a dispute over access to land. As a result of the violence, one person was reportedly killed and about 2,000 people (400 families) were reportedly displaced to Jakho I village in the locality. IOM field teams also report that commercial properties and livestock were looted.

In South Kordofan, inter-communal clashes erupted between Nuba Golfan and Arab Hawazma tribesmen on 28 November in Dilling town, Dilling locality, reports IOM DTM. Clashes took place in Al Tomat and Abu Zaid neighbourhoods. Preliminary reports indicate that 10 people have been killed, others injured, and about 400 people (75 families) have been displaced to Hadjerid Djawad village in Habila locality. IOM field teams also report the looting and burning of personal property in Al Tomat and Abu Zaid neighbourhoods. The situation remains tense and unpredictable.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

An array of challenges - insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity, lack of cash, and limited technical and humanitarian staff on the ground – have been affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country. Fuel shortages also affect the movement of humanitarian staff and supplies and the generation of power needed for operations (maintaining cold chain storage, supplying water, etc). Despite all these challenges, humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to the vulnerable people they can reach.

Since April 2023, UNHCR and its partners reached over 455,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) with protection, relief supplies, shelter and cash assistance in a challenging and complex operational environment. In 2023, UNHCR supported nearly 85,000 of the most vulnerable IDPs and members of the host community with cash support of some US$3.2 million. UNHCR implements multi-purpose cash assistance for protection and basic needs along with cash for shelter programmes benefitting displaced people and host communities living together. In addition, UNHCR, together with its partners, is piloting cash for economic empowerment initiatives. This three-tiered cash approach aims to improve social protection and to catalyze community-driven economic recovery. Prior to the conflict, UNHCR’s cash interventions were centred on Darfur, while after its start, UNHCR’s cash interventions also reached people in the east and the north of the country.

As the conflict is engulfing the country, fuelling mass displacement and severe risks to the protection of civilians, and exponentially increasing humanitarian needs, UNHCR urges the international community to focus attention on the Sudan situation and provide support to address this humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, between 15 April and 15 October 2023, 154 humanitarian partners reached about 4.5 million people across Sudan with life-saving assistance, according to the latest Humanitarian Response Dashboard. The number of people UN and humanitarian partners reached with lifesaving assistance increased by about 400,000 compared to the previous reporting period (15 April – 30 September 2023). About 444,500 more people were provided with access to healthcare services, emergency food and livelihood assistance during the first half of October. About 210,000 more people received emergency livelihood assistance. Nutrition sector partners reached an additional 72,000 people with assistance. About 35,600 more people received shelter and non-food supplies.

For more information on cluster-specific response see the latest Sudan Humanitarian Response Dashboard.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN FUNDING OVERVIEW

The revised 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$2.6 billion to provide life-saving multi-cluster and protection assistance to 18.1 million people in desperate need through the end of this year. The appeal is only 38.6 per cent funded, with $989.3 million received as of 7 December, according to the Financial Tracking Service.

For previous humanitarian updates:

• Sudan Humanitarian Update (23 November 2023)
• Sudan Humanitarian Update (12 November 2023)
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 2 November 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 26 October 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 19 October 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 13 October 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 7 October 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 28 September 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 22 September 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 14 September 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 7 September 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 31 August 2023
• Sudan Humanitarian Update, 23 August 2023

Click here for the PDF

Original: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/sudan/card/1sXP6WuoqJ/

People receive non-food item assistance Gedaref State | Credit: OCHA

[Source: See entire digital situation report for Sudan - English and Arabic]

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Sudan war crimes: Child soldiers in RSF & SAF battles

Report at Radio Dabanga
Dated Tuesday 22 August 2023 - excerpt:

Child soldiers reported in RSF and Sudan army battles

Fighting in El Shajara area of western Khartoum continued for the second day yesterday, following an attack on El Shajara Armoured Corps by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Darfur Bar Association reported instances of child soldiers fighting for both parties of the conflict in El Shajara. 

Child soldiers 

The Darfur Bar Association (DBA) expressed grave concerns about the presence of children among army fighters in battles, some of whom were seen wearing RSF uniforms during military operations in El Shajara area. The Sudan War Monitor published a video in which a group of boys are shown operating a combat vehicle in the area. 

According to a source of prominent Sudan researcher and analyst Eric Reeves, “an ugly reality has started to emerge. Among the dead, there were many children killed fighting with the RSF,” most of whom are reportedly from neighbourhoods in Khartoum mainly inhabited by populations from marginalised regions of Sudan, including Darfur and Blue Nile region. 

The RSF used “money” and “false promises” to recruit the children, some of whom are as young as 14, according to the source. 

In a statement released yesterday, the DBA underscored that “international humanitarian law and various international treaties and norms prohibit the recruitment of children under the age of fifteen” into combat. 

It is considered a war crime in both international and non-international conflicts, as outlined in the International Criminal Court statute. The International Labour Organisation Convention and The Convention on the Rights of the Child also forbid children’s participation in military conflicts. 

Lawyer Nafisa Hajar, who witnessed children present at SAF and RSF posts, deemed it a blatant violation of conventions and an infringement on children’s rights. She believes “involving children in conflict zones is unacceptable, and will lead to psychological issues.” She urged the international community and the Security Council to address child recruitment as a war crime. 

View original: https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/child-soldiers-reported-in-rsf-and-sudan-army-battles

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