Unable to survive in Egypt, refugees return to Sudan. Egypt hosts nine million refugees and immigrants

THIS stomach churning report paints a picture of hopeless despair: unable to survive in Egypt, Sudanese refugees are returning to Sudan not knowing how or where to sleep safely. "We can't go back, we can't move anywhere else, and we can't stay here," Ali said from a Sudanese community centre in Cairo which is also under threat of eviction. Their priority, many told AFP, is finding anywhere safe to lay their heads, even if only on a cold tile floor. 

Read more in report from AFP via Yahoo.com
By Bahira Amin
Dated Tuesday, 13 February 2024, 1:55 AM GMT - here is a copy in full:

Unable to survive in Egypt, refugees return to war-torn Sudan

Sudanese drivers rest on May 14, 2023 after transporting evacuees from Sudan into Egypt, in Wadi Karkar village near Aswan (Khaled DESOUKI)

Ten months after Sudan's brutal war sent hundreds of thousands fleeing, many of those who sought refuge in neighbouring Egypt are caught between the grim choice of homelessness or returning at their own peril.

Single mother Rehab has been in Egypt for seven months, fighting to build a life for her children. "I have a daughter who was born here, and I can't work to provide for her," the 28-year-old told AFP.

Gathered in a small church in eastern Cairo, dozens of women like Rehab said their families -- cramped into overcrowded apartments -- have been sleeping on bare floors since they arrived.

"People came to Egypt thinking life will be better here," 28-year old Ibram Kiir, a Sunday school teacher from Sudan who has been in Egypt for five years and helps refugees through the church, told AFP.  "But then reality hits. They don't have any money, they can't get an apartment, it's cold and they can't get winter clothes. So they turn back," he said.

Since the fighting began in April between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, over 450,000 people have crossed the border into Egypt, according to official figures. Their priority, many told AFP, is finding anywhere safe to lay their heads, even if only on a cold tile floor.

But as the months stretch on, employment, proper housing and help become nearly impossible to find, with Egypt's two-year economic crisis rapidly worsening. Soaring inflation -- which registered a record high of 39.7 percent last year -- decimated livelihoods just as war-weary Sudanese began arriving.

Many turned up with just the clothes on their backs. They ended up staying in small apartments with two or three families at a time, many of them with only one breadwinner between them earning less than minimum wage.

Dan Mhik Akom, a 34-year-old who cleans houses part-time, tried to convince a friend things would get better. But after months watching his family "unable to even get to the kitchen to feed themselves" because of overcrowding, "he made up his mind and returned to Sudan," he told AFP.

- 'Rather die' -

Another Sunday school teacher, Randa Hussein, said her cousin left Cairo in October, heading back to her home on the war-ravaged outskirts of Khartoum. She said she "would rather die there than stay here," said Hussein, 33. Her family has not heard from her since.

Hussein is now hosting another refugee, a 20-year old mother of two who had been staying with her grandmother, until the landlord threatened the elderly woman with eviction if the newcomers did not leave. Unable to find a job or an apartment, "she's insisting on going back to Sudan," Hussein said. "She has a one-year-old she can't feed. She doesn't know what to do."

Yet back in Sudan, the situation is no better: her Khartoum neighbourhood has been shelled beyond recognition, and the homes that still stand are overrun with fighters. 

"People are being forced to choose between being homeless and being unsafe," said Sudanese political economist Raga Makawi. "Unable to afford even squalid conditions in Egypt, they choose to go back, preferring to negotiate their security with armed actors however they can," she told AFP.

The threat of homelessness is just around the corner for several Sudanese AFP interviewed.

Hawa Talfon, a preacher's wife, was kicked out with only two weeks' notice for hosting too many displaced family members. She had lived in her home in eastern Cairo for five years, before her brother's family joined her to flee the war. "What was I supposed to do? Kick them out?" she asked, after her landlord objected to her guests.

- 'Burden' -

AFP heard from dozens of Sudanese families across Cairo who faced the same fate, with landlords citing reasons such as "excess wear-and-tear" on their properties.

Under the shadow of the nationwide financial crisis, rights groups and Sudanese living in Egypt have warned of rising anti-refugee sentiment.

Yasser Ali, 40, who came to Cairo in 2002 to study law, told AFP that just in the past year, "everything has changed, people's attitudes have got a lot more aggressive."

According to Nour Khalil, founder of the advocacy organisation Refugees Platform in Egypt, there is "a concerted campaign, based purely on misinformation, to place the blame for the current economic crisis on society's most vulnerable."

Last month, the government said it would audit how much Egypt's "guests" -- as the administration calls nine million refugees and immigrants -- cost the country.

Almost in tandem, Khalil and other rights defenders tracked a rise in social media posts labelling refugees as a "burden", though most receive little to no assistance from either the United Nations or the government.

Cairo for its part holds that new arrivals are allowed to work and move "freely".

Rents have soared in Cairo as the economic crisis worsens, though rights groups and Sudanese told AFP landlords were specifically targeting Sudanese residents.

"You either pay up or they'll find someone who will," Kiir said, with some families like Talfon's given a different ultimatum: kick out "your own flesh and blood" or leave.

As the war rages, people have been left with no options.

"We can't go back, we can't move anywhere else, and we can't stay here," Ali said from a Sudanese community centre in Cairo -- which is also under threat of eviction.          

bha/sbh/dcp/jsa 

View original: https://news.yahoo.com/unable-survive-egypt-refugees-return-015555421.html

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UN relief chief Martin Griffiths releases $10m USD to aid 500,000 people in South Sudan fleeing Sudan war

UN OCHA said the fund would be used to build shelters, offer cash assistance, build water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and support onward transportation for new arrivals at overcrowded transit sites. 

 

Read more from China View Xinhuanet

By Xinhua Editor: Huaxia

Dated Tuesday, 16 January 2024; 03:45 - here is a copy in full:

UN relief chief releases fund to aid Sudanese refugees in South Sudan

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The UN humanitarian chief released an emergency 10 million U.S. dollars on Monday to aid about 500,000 people in South Sudan fleeing the Sudan war.

UN Undersecretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths allocated the fund from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"As of today (Monday), about 500,000 people have crossed into South Sudan since mid-April, when Sudan's war started," OCHA said. "In just the past month, more than 60,000 people have arrived in South Sudan, following the outbreak of clashes in and around Wad Medani, Sudan's second-largest city."

The office said thousands more people are expected to arrive in South Sudan over the next six months.

OCHA said the fund would be used to build shelters, offer cash assistance, build water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and support onward transportation for new arrivals at overcrowded transit sites. 

View original: http://www.chinaview.cn/20240116/963c578e32234e2e81bfb21e4db1af2b/c.html

ENDS 

Sudan Humanitarian Update (14 January 2024)

HERE is a full copy of an analysis from UN OCHA Sunday, 14 January 2024.

SUDAN Humanitarian Update (14 January 2024)

HIGHLIGHTS

•  More than 7.4 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023.
 

•  The number of people displaced in Sudan has increased by about 611,000 over the past month, mainly due to the conflict-induced displacement from parts of Aj Jazirah and other states.
 

•  The expansion of fighting between SAF and the RSF into central and eastern Sudan—the country's most important regions for crop production—has driven a significant increase in humanitarian needs during the harvest season, according to FEWS NET.
 

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

•  The 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan appeal is 3.1 per cent funded as of 14 January 2024.

Click here for the PDF

Click here to read online

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Almost nine months after the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on 15 April 2023 in the capital Khartoum, more than 7.4 million people have fled their homes, taking refuge inside and outside Sudan, 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. 

According to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM) Sudan Weekly Displacement Snapshot (16), more than 6 million people have been displaced within Sudan, increasing by an estimated 611,000 people over the past month mainly due to new displacements from Aj Jazirah and other states since 15 December 2023. IOM DTM reported in its update on Aj Jazirah State displacement that about 509,800 people were displaced by fighting in Aj Jazirah. About 205,500 of them were displaced in other safe locations within Aj Jazirah, and another 304,336 IDPs fled to other states across Sudan, including Gedaref (64,551 IDPs), Sennar (60,000 IDPs), Red Sea (50,035 IDPs), White Nile (40,750 IDPs), River Nile (30,000 IDPs), Kassala (30,000 IDPs), Blue Nile (15,000 IDPs), and Northern (14,000 IDPs) states. 

The 6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are sheltering in 6,282 locations across all of Sudan’s 18 states, an increase of 343 locations over the past month. The highest number of IDPs were observed in South Darfur (12 per cent), East Darfur (11 per cent), River Nile (11 per cent), Aj Jazirah (8 per cent), White Nile (8 per cent), and North Darfur (8 per cent). IOM DTM field teams report that the IDPs were originally displaced from 12 states, the majority of whom (about 3.7 million people or 61 per cent of the total displaced) were reportedly displaced from Khartoum State, followed by South Darfur (15 per cent), North Darfur (8 per cent), Aj Jazirah (5 per cent), Central Darfur (4 per cent), West Darfur (3 per cent), and the rest in other six states. In addition, more than 1.4 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries since 15 April 2023, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). 

Expanding conflict and displacement drive even higher needs during the harvest – FEWS NET

The expansion of fighting between the SAF and the RSF into parts of central and eastern Sudan—the country's most important regions for crop production—has driven a significant increase in humanitarian needs during the harvesting season (December and January),reports FEWS NET. This development is expected to lead to considerable deterioration in acute food insecurity in the southeast from what was previously expected, worsening an already dire situation, according to FEWS NET’s Sudan - Food Security Outlook Update. Widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels of food insecurity are expected across much of the country, with Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes expected in the heavily conflict-affected urban areas of Khartoum, greater Darfur, greater Kordofan, and parts of Blue Nile states. Of highest concern are populations in parts of Khartoum, Ag Geneina, Nyala, Wad Madani, and among the displaced due to the impact of intensive fighting and disruption to humanitarian assistance.

Impact of conflict on civilians

In South Kordofan State, clashes renewed on 7 January between the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (Al-Hilu faction) and SAF against the RSF in Abu Zaid and Al Matar neighbourhoods of Dilling town, South Kordofan State. The incident follows previously reported clashes on 9 December 2023.IOM DTM field teams reported that 2,840 people were displaced and sought refuge in Khamis village in Dilling locality following the clashes, while about 320 newly displaced people arrived in Dibebad town in Al Quoz locality in South Kordofan.

In North Kordofan State, tensions rose on 3 January between the RSF and Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North Al-Hilu faction in Broka village of Ar Rahad locality, reports IOM DTM. As a result, about 430 people (86 families) were displaced and are taking refuge in Al Huda, Al Safa, and Al Shati’ neighbourhoods in Ar Rahad Town as well as in Aradeba, Tendalti, Umm Habila and As Sawani villages in Ar Rahad locality. The situation remains tense and unpredictable. There are 137,300 IDPs in North Kordofan State post-April 2023, according to IOM DTM.

On 8 January 2024, armed clashes renewed between the SAF and the RSF in El Obeid town, the capital of North Kordofan State. Clashes were reported in southern neighbourhoods of El Obeid town. While no civilian displacement was reported, the situation on the ground remains tense and unpredictable, IOM DTM reported.

In North Darfur State, clashes between SAF and RSF renewed on 9 January at the Melit checkpoint in Al Fasher Town, Al Fasher locality. IOM Field teams reported that approximately 250 people (50 families) were displaced from Abu Shock and Al Salam IDP camps to neighbourhoods in the west of Al Fasher Town. The situation remains tense and unpredictable.

Almost 9,000 suspected cases of cholera – a 43 per cent increase in one month

Almost 9,000 suspected cases of cholera, including 245 associated deaths, were reported as of 6 January 2024 from 46 localities of nine states, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Sudan Outbreaks Dashboard. This is an increase of about 43 per cent compared to the number of cases reported on 6 December 2023. However, this indicates a downward trend and a much lower increase compared to previous months. Between 6 November – 6 December the number of cases increased by 143 per cent, and between 6 October and 6 November the increase was 175 per cent. During December 2023, oral cholera vaccination campaigns have been organized in Gedaref and Aj Jazirah states, with about 2.2 million people vaccinated. There are 2,746 suspected cases and 95 associated deaths in Red Sea; 2,036 suspected cases of cholera and 50 associated deaths in Gedaref; 1,860 suspected cases and 26 associated deaths in Aj Jazirah; 1,246 suspected cases and 32 associated deaths in White Nile; 525 suspected cases and 26 associated deaths in Khartoum; 346 suspected cases and eight associated deaths in South Kordofan; 121 suspected cases and four associated deaths in Sennar; 99 suspected cases and four associated deaths in Kassala; and three suspected case in Blue Nile State.

Increase in desert locust groups and small bands in December 2023

During December, the first winter generation of locust hatching finished on Sudan’s Red Sea coast from Eritrea to Egypt, according to the most recent Desert Locust Bulletin of the Food and Agriculture Organization. As a result, there was an increase in the number of desert locust hopper groups and small bands during the month. Hopper groups are forming ground or basking groups, with 20 and more adult locusts per 400 m foot transecting or 500 or more locusts per hectare. According to the FAO, in response to environmental stimuli, dense and highly mobile desert locust swarms can form. They are ravenous eaters who consume their own weight per day, targeting food crops and forage. A single square kilometre of swarm can contain up to 80 million adults, with the capacity to consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people. Large swarms pose a major threat to food security and rural livelihoods. In the second week, fledgling and immature groups formed, while a few mature groups were copulating near Karora and the Eritrea border. Hoppers, adults, and some groups were observed in the northeast subcoastal region from Tomala to Sufiya and the Egypt border. Control operations treated 22,677 hectares of land along the coast, of which 3,550 were by air. Hoppers, adults, groups, and very small bands and swarms will continue during January along the Red Sea coast and subcoastal area. A second generation could occur with hatching and hopper groups and bands from the second half of January and new adult groups appearing in early March.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Various 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. 

Overall, between 15 April and 30 November 2023, 163 humanitarian partners provided about 5.2 million people across Sudan with life-saving assistance according to the latest Humanitarian Response Dashboard. 

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

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN FUNDING OVERVIEW

The 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) requires US$2.7 billion to provide life-saving multi-cluster and protection assistance to 14.7 million people across Sudan in 2024. As of 14 January 2024, the appeal is 3.1 per cent funded, with $83.8 million received, according to the Financial Tracking Service. The Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2023 was 41.8 per cent funded. 

***

See entire digital situation report for Sudan

Previous updates: Sudan Humanitarian Update, 4 January 2024

OCHA coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in humanitarian crises. We advocate for effective and principled humanitarian action by all, for all. https://www.unocha.org/sudan

ENDS

Sudan: SAF & RSF clashes in Aj Jazirah Wad Medani

UN OCHA SUDAN update as of Jan 8 says: "Insecurity and safety concerns are the main operational challenges in Al Jazeera  State, with humanitarian missions suspended since 15 December 2023 and virtually no humanitarian partners operating in Wad Madani as the conflict is still ongoing.

An implementing partner of the World Food Programme (WFP) operates nutrition services with limited capacity at Al Managil and Al Hasahisa, covering Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFP).

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) deployed teams to conduct rapid needs assessments in Sennar, Gedaref, and White Nile states.

In Gedaref, preparations for the Alhoury IDP gathering site are ongoing, with plans for some IDPs to be moved to the site on 7 January. ZOA is providing ready-made meals to IDPs upon arrival at the site. Care International in Sudan is building emergency latrines, and the local NGO Al Tawaki provides drinking water. 

In Sennar, the security situation remains a significant challenge as shelling and aerial bombardment continue to be reported in the outskirts of Sennar, including near the Sennar Sugar Factory, about 32 km northwest of Sennar. Interruptions of Internet and mobile networks, bank services, and cash liquidity have continued to pose challenges to the operations of humanitarian organizations.

In the states of Kassala and Red Sea, humanitarian partners are responding to the needs of new IDPs from Aj Jazirah. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Holland is a new implementing partner that began operating in Kassala. 52 sites (primarily public schools) currently hosting the newly displaced families from Jazirah. 

In Red Sea State, the authorities have opened two new gathering sites to accommodate IDPs from Jazirah and other locations and have registered 280 new arrivals at Abdalla Nagi and Salalab Algarbyia schools. 

In White Nile State, NRC distributed 500 hygiene kits in Aj Jabalain locality and three gathering sites in Kosti.

In Blue Nile State, Relief International (RI) will soon deploy two mobile clinics to support IDPs from Aj Jazirah". Read more.

From UN OCHA 

SUDAN: Clashes in Wad Medani between the SAF and RSF Flash Update No: 6 (as of 8 January 2024) - here is a copy in full:

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Since 15 December 2023, an estimated 509,800 people have been affected by the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in parts of Aj Jazirah State, according to theInternational Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Focused Flash Alert: Conflict in Aj Jazirah State. IOM DTM Sudan estimated that of this number about 275,800 internally displaced persons (IDPs) – or 54 per cent of the total affected individuals – were subjected to first-time displacement, originating from Medani Al Kurba and Sharg Aj Jazirah localities in Aj Jazirah State.

About 234,000 IDPs – 46 per cent of the total affected – had previously sought refuge in Aj Jazirah from Khartoum State and experienced secondary displacement following the outbreak of violence in Aj Jazirah on 15 December 2023. In addition, IOM DTM field teams found out that 152,400 IDPs that were living in 380 locations in Sharg Al Jazirah, Medani Al Kubra, Al Hasahisa, Janub Al Jazirah, Al Kamlin, and Um Algura left those locations. These locations included 133 schools, 24 sheltering centers, 35 villages, and 50 neighbourhoods.

Roads to villages located east of Aj Jazirah, including Sharg Al Neel in Khartoum State, have been cut off, with traders using alternative roads to bring supplies. This has created a shortage in basic food commodities and the prices have reportedly tripled. Cattle owners reportedly face significant shortages of animal feed, with thousands of cattle at risk of being lost. There are reports of civilian displacement in Al Managil, with displaced people sheltering in schools, while prices for fuel have reportedly quadrupled affecting the movement of people and supplies.

There are also some reports of IDPs from Aj Jazirah arriving in parts of White Nile State near the border with South Sudan, and individual cases of people moving further to Renk, and onward to Juba in South Sudan. According to an NGO partner, about 500 people arrived in the Aj Jabalain area near the South Sudan border.

­While many affected IDPs reportedly sought refuge in relatively safer locations within Aj Jazirah (about 205,500 people), DTM field teams reported that 60 per cent of the total affected people – representing 304,340 IDPs – fled to other states in Sudan. IDPs from Aj Jazirah were observed in Gedaref (64,551 IDPs), Sennar (60,000 IDPs), Red Sea (50,035 IDPs), White Nile (40,750 IDPs), River Nile (30,000 IDPs), Kassala (30,000 IDPs), Blue Nile (15,000 IDPs), and Northern (14,000 IDPs) states.

Before the eruption of the clashes on 15 December 2023, DTM Sudan estimated that about 525,000 IDPs sought refuge within Aj Jazirah as of 13 December 2023 – with the vast majority reportedly displaced from Khartoum state (more than 99 per cent) and less than 1 per cent originating from Aj Jazirah. The majority of IDPs were in Al Hasahisa (17 per cent), Medani Al Kubra (16 per cent), Al Kamlin (16 per cent), Sharg Al Jazirah (16 per cent), and Al Qurashi (10 per cent) localities.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Insecurity and safety concerns are the main operational challenges in Al Jazeera State, with humanitarian missions suspended since 15 December 2023 and virtually no humanitarian partners operating in Wad Medani as the conflict is still ongoing.

An implementing partner of the World Food Programme (WFP) operates nutrition services with limited capacity at Al Managil and Al Hasahisa, covering Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFP).

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) deployed teams to conduct rapid needs assessments in Sennar, Gedaref, and White Nile states.

In Gedaref, preparations for the Alhoury IDP gathering site are ongoing, with plans for some IDPs to be moved to the site on 7 January. ZOA is providing ready-made meals to IDPs upon arrival at the site. Care International in Sudan is building emergency latrines, and the local NGO Al Tawaki provides drinking water. 

Site management cluster partners erect shelters and install basic Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and health service facilities on-site. Ed Al-Tine, Umm Khanjar, and Wad Omar schools are being assessed as options for the second proposed IDP site in central Gedaref. NRC will be responsible for the site management in Al Fao, and the location in Al Mafaza locality will be prepared soon. The inter-sector rapid needs assessment (ISRNA) will commence once the IDPs are relocated to the proposed sites.

Meanwhile, some partners have reported restrictions on access to Al Fao imposed by security bodies for safety reasons. This has affected the provision of humanitarian assistance e.g., mobile clinic services in the area.

NRC completed two distributions, delivering 300 non-food item (NFI) kits to about 1,500 newly displaced people in Al Mafaza locality. NRC is also actively preparing for upcoming distributions in Al Galabat Al Gharbyah locality in Gedaref, with a special focus on assisting about 600 IDPs relocating to this area. 

The current efforts include site preparation, such as ground levelling and tent setup, along with NFI distribution. NRC also organized a one-day training session for 15 Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteers on general protection aspects with a particular emphasis on individual protection assistance for new IDPs.

In Sennar, the security situation remains a significant challenge as shelling and aerial bombardment continue to be reported in the outskirts of Sennar, including near the Sennar Sugar Factory, about 32 km northwest of Sennar. Interruptions of Internet and mobile networks, bank services, and cash liquidity have continued to pose challenges to the operations of humanitarian organizations. SRCS, with support from the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, distributed food items (sugar, lentils, rice, oil, beans) to 2,367 IDPs from Aj Jazirah at five gathering sites and 7,000 residents from the host communities in Sennar. SRCS also continues hygiene promotion campaigns and provides first aid and psychosocial support to the IDPs in gathering sites in Sennar. NRC provided non-food supplies to about 2,700 newly displaced people in Sennar and Sinja localities.

In the states of Kassala and Red Sea, humanitarian partners are responding to the needs of new IDPs from Aj Jazirah. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Holland is a new implementing partner that began operating in Kassala. 52 sites (primarily public schools) currently hosting the newly displaced families from Jazirah. Most sector partners are responding to the new influx with their available resources, and other sectors have started planning the response activities. 

The situation is dynamic with the continuous commuting of families in and out of Kassala. WFP is set to distribute general food assistance rations shortly to 4,818 IDPs from Aj Jazirah in 52 gathering points. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) team also plans to provide food in coordination with WFP.

WASH cluster partners are conducting a two-day technical needs assessment on 7-8 January in all 52 IDP locations in Kassala. The Water and Environmental Sanitation Department (WES) has about 20 water bladders of different sizes to be installed immediately after the technical assessment. The two national NGOs – Al Eshrag Organization for Development and Reconstruction and Friends of Peace and Development Organization (FPDO) – provide water and hygiene kits for the newly displaced people.

In Red Sea State, the authorities have opened two new gathering sites to accommodate IDPs from Jazirah and other locations and have registered 280 new arrivals at Abdalla Nagi and Salalab Algarbyia schools. Newly arrived IDPs from Aj Jazirah need shelter, non-food supplies and food assistance. Port Sudan youth groups started providing ready meals with their limited resources. A significant number of newly displaced families are believed to be staying with host communities.

In White Nile State, NRC distributed 500 hygiene kits in Aj Jabalain locality and three gathering sites in Kosti.

In Blue Nile State, Relief International (RI) will soon deploy two mobile clinics to support IDPs from Aj Jazirah. Human Appeal and other organizations have provided food for IDPs at Nahda school. UNICEF supported the provision of 2,000 litres of safe water for newly arrived IDPs from Aj Jazirah in Ed Damazine. UNICEF has also provided cleaning tools for two IDP gathering sites (schools) in Ed Damazine town and conducted three-day cleaning campaigns. IRC provided WASH NFIs and hygiene dignity kits for about 450 IDPs at two gathering sites.  

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 15 April, 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 Wad 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 neighbouring states. 57 humanitarian organizations work in the state, including 25 international NGOs, 21 national NGOs 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.

*** 

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

View original and Download report with map here: 

https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/sudan/flash-update/4o5Zm94HTs1ilqxfZfZ40U/

ENDS