Showing posts with label Gedaref. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gedaref. Show all posts

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Sudan: Conflict in Melit & Kutum, North Darfur. Fires in An Nuhud, W. Kordofan & Madeinat Al Gedaref

HERE is a DTM Sudan Flash Alert
Dated Sunday, 28 April 2024 - full copy:

Conflict in Melit and Kutum localities, North Darfur


DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts provide immediate updates on incidents and sudden displacement in Sudan.


On 26 April 2024, clashes renewed between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Melit and Kutum localities, North Darfur. SAF conducted airstrikes targeting RSF positions across Melit town of Melit locality and Al Zurug village of Kutum locality, North Darfur. 


According to field teams, the event led to the displacement of approximately 35 households from Al Zurug village. Affected households sought refuge within Kutum locality.  


There were also reports of deaths in Melit town. 

The situation remains tense and unpredictable. DTM will continue to monitor the developments closely and will provide further information on displacement and population mobility across Sudan, on a weekly basis. The latest DTM Sudan report is available here [ https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-sudan-weekly-displacement-snapshot-28 ].

Disclaimer: Due to the current circumstances, the DTM network is relying on remote interviews with key informants and further verification is not possible at this time.


*DTM Sudan Flash Alerts provide an initial estimation of affected population figures gathered from field reports. All information is therefore pending verification through DTM’s Emergency Event Tracking (EET) and/or registration activities and is not to be used as official figures.


Source: DTM 28 April 2024 I VIEW IN BROWSER Update One

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Further DTM alerts:


DTM Sudan Flash Alert dated 28 April 2024: 

Fire in An Nuhud (An Nuhud Town), West Kordofan


On 25 April 2024, a fire broke out in An Nuhud Town of An Nuhud locality, West Kordofan. The fire was reported in Althawra neighbourhoods and was caused by extreme weather conditions. Field teams reported that 55 houses burnt down. Affected households sought improvised shelter within the same location. 

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DTM Sudan Flash Alert dated 28 April 2024:

Fire in Madeinat Al Gedaref (Gedaref Town), Gedaref


On 24 April 2024, a fire broke out in Gedaref Town of Madeinat Al Gedaref locality, Gedaref. The fire was reported in At Taddamon neighbourhood and was caused by a household accident. Field teams reported that four houses burnt down. Affected households sought shelter with host communities within the same town. 


END

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Sudan: SIM card frenzy in Port Sudan amid blackouts. Map of Internet availability and connectivity in Sudan

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: I am contributing to this map by adding notes such as those below. I exchanged emails with Sudanese people this week  in Khartoum and South Kordofan. Both are in the yellow part of the map. The map shows internet availability and network connection in Sudan as at 20 Feb 2024. Green - Network available . Yellow - Network blackout.
Credit: map and caption Anas Yassin
Map showing Internet availability and network connection in Sudan 20/Feb/2024 . Green - Network available . Yellow - Network blackout 

Today, I exchanged emails with a Sudanese person in Gedaref State, Sudan who says, "Yes we were out of network service for many days, but it's back now. The internet is somehow difficult to access in Gedaref, there is only one telecommnications company (Sudatel) that works, besides the heavy load of data, but the situation is stable. It doesn't work in many Gedaref State localities. However, it's good in downtown and other localities which are 50 kilometres from Gedaref town. Also, Sennar and Aj Jazira State and Blue Nile are blackout. But in some areas like Central Darfur they're using Starlink satellite network. I am in Gedaref and had a visitor today from Sennar who said there is no activation of telecommunications in Sennar." 

Also, I asked "are you using a Sudatel SIM card? I've just read this report (below) and wondered if it is possible to get those SIM cards (like the ones in report) to the yellow area of the map showing internet blackout, would they work? The answer was, "Yes, I am using a Sudatel SIM card".

I asked "is electricity supply stable in Gedaref, Aj Jazirah State, Sennar and Blue Nile?" The answer says, "It's not stable in Gedaref State about 80%, I don't know about Aj Jazira State and Blue Nile, but it's not stable in Sennar."

A few days ago, someone in London commented to me they'd spoken to people in Omdurman (15 min drive from Khartoum) via WhatsApp, the people had to visit souk Libya's market for WiFi. The voice call was clear. The person in London received more calls over past week from same person, and used a phone to transfer funds to the caller in Sudan by using Bankak. 

So, going by the above: 
  • internet connectivity in Khartoum does work but is patchy;
  • a place in Omburdman is OK if one can visit a WiFi spot;
  • place in South Kordofan was found to be OK;
  • Sennar and Blue Nile are still in blackout
  • network doesn't work in many Gedaref State localities;
  • in Aj Jazirah State there is no network, it's still in blackout;
  • 50 miles from Gedaref town there are downtown areas and localities where connectivity is good;
  • in some parts of Central Darfur, Starlink is being used;
  • electricity is not stable 80% of time in Gederaf State; don't know about Aj Jazirah State;
  • electricity is not stable in Sennar.

My next step is to search for news on Sennar, Blue Nile, Gedaref State localities, Central Darfur to learn how people in those areas are managing in blackout and find out if anyone has received/sent a voice call/text/voicemail.

Meanwhile, if anyone affected by telecoms problems in Sudan, and the cost of running a phone, is reading this and can add further details - no matter how small - please email or post at X #keepeyesonsudan.

Going by what I have gathered so far, the telecoms situation in Sudan is extremely alarming and worrying for those living in the yellow part of the map. How are they getting news, help, food, water, meds, electricity? It's like they have been thrown back into the Stone Age. It is totally unacceptable.

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My comment posted at the map
Thanks for posting this visual. What is the source of the data? Does it include all telecoms/TV/landline telephony/mobile comms telcos/internet connectivity? A few days ago I received messages via LinkedIn from reliable sources inside Khartoum itself and in South Kordofan. If the map is accurate, maybe there's a tiny minority in the orange sections who have access to Starlink or something that is not available to the majority. If the orange section shows areas suffering a near total blackout, I am shocked and surprised there has not been a loud outcry. Are you currently located in White Nile? If so, are you and the folks you know in White Nile in total blackout? White Nile is in orange section. 
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Report from Radio Tamazuj - Port Sudan
Dated Tuesday 20 February 2024 - here is a copy in full:

Sudani SIM card frenzy in Port Sudan amid service cuts

Hundreds of Sudanese citizens flocked to the Sudani Telecommunications Company headquarters in Port Sudan to get their hands on the company’s special communication SIM cards. This surge in demand follows weeks of complete communication service interruption in Sudan, a result of the ongoing war in the country.


Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Monday, Haired Abdel Salam, a Sudanese citizen, said: “I’ve been attempting to acquire a Sudani SIM for four days now. It’s not about getting a new SIM; rather, I’m trying to restore my old one.” He expressed difficulty in accessing the service due to the large crowds.


Mohammed Mustafa also recounted his visit to Sudani Communications Services, stating, “I needed to obtain a SIM card for the first time because of the communication outage. However, I was taken aback by the overwhelming number of people waiting for the service.” He noted the high cost of the service, even when attempting to acquire it from outside the company premises.


Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Sudanese Telecommunications Company (Sudani), Engineer Majdi Mohammed Abdullah, stated that over the past five months, despite the loss of the billing system, the company has persevered in its efforts to provide services without charge. Emphasizing the importance of sustaining operations despite the incurred losses, Abdullah highlighted the commitment to continue working despite the challenges faced by the company.


In recent months, Sudan has experienced a complete halt in telecommunications services, impacting both communication and internet services. This situation has raised concerns, particularly with the interruption of essential banking services that citizens rely on, given the wartime conditions. Additionally, various other services dependent on the internet in Sudan have been affected.


View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/sudani-sim-card-frenzy-at-port-sudan-amidst-service-cuts

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UPDATE by Sudan Watch Editor on 25 Feb 2024, added the following:


Sudan Watch - February 12, 2024

NetBlocks: Major internet disruption in Chad, severed fibre optic cable supplying Chad from Cameroon

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/02/netblocks-major-internet-disruption-in.html

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Sudan Watch - February 10, 2024

URGENT MESSAGE to Sir Tim Berners-Lee: The internet belongs to everyone including the Sudanese

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/02/urgent-message-to-sir-tim-berners-lee.html

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Sudan Watch - February 08, 2024

Sudan hit by internet blackout as conflict continues

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/02/sudan-hit-by-internet-blackout-as.html

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Sudan Watch - April 23, 2023

Sudan almost completely disconnected from Internet

Just 2% of all Internet users in Sudan have web connectivity at present

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/04/sudan-almost-completely-disconnected.html

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Sudan Watch - June 24, 2019

Sudan internet shutdown has a projected cost of more than $1 billion, and will continue for three months

NetBlocks, an organization that tracks Internet freedom around the world, described the blackout as a “near-total restriction on the flow of information in and out of Sudan for a significant portion of the population.”

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2019/06/sudan-internet-shutdown-has-projected.html

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END

Monday, January 15, 2024

MSF Sudan: Severe humanitarian needs after half a million people flee violence in Wad Madani, Aj Jazhira

“Because of the violent clashes and the crisis... we went to Khartoum. But the war followed us to Khartoum, so we went to Wad Madani. And then, the story continues.” -Maha, a displaced woman in Tanideba camp X


Report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) aka Doctors Without Borders

Project Update 

Dated Monday, 15 January 2024 - here is a copy in full:


Severe humanitarian needs after half a million people flee violence in Wad Madani

A displaced woman holds her child as she takes refuge in Alsafat Camp in Al Jazirah state. “I'm worried about the future of my children. I'm thinking about returning to Abyei so that I could provide an education for my children. But if the war comes to an end I'll return to Khartoum and my house as soon as possible, and my husband will be able to work,” she says. Sudan, December 2023. © FAIS ABUBAKR X


On 15 December, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an attack on Wad Madani, Sudan, and took control of several other cities and areas in Al Jazirah state within days. Since then, more than half a million people have fled the fighting and insecurity, including about 234,000 displaced people who had previously sought refuge in Wad Madani as violence in Khartoum intensified.  


The chaos following the evolving conflict and the severe insecurity and widespread violence created an environment in which Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) could no longer operate in Wad Madani. 


As a result, we had to suspend all activities and evacuate our staff from Wad Madani on 19 December, leaving behind people with even less access to basic medical services. We also had to evacuate staff from Damazine, Um Rakuba in Gedaref state, and Doka. In Damazine, we reduced activities.


Our teams had been present in Wad Madani since May 2023. Conditions were already dire for the half a million displaced people living there, which made up 8 per cent of all internally displaced people in Sudan. Sudan was already home to the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with more than six million people forced from their homes within the country in addition to more than 1.4  million who have fled across borders. 


Between May and November, our teams performed 18,390 medical consultations (40 per cent of them for children under 15 years old) in several of the hundreds of locations hosting displaced people across the state of Al Jazirah, some in schools or old public buildings.  


Through our mobile clinics, our teams diagnosed and referred 66 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with serious complications in the past six months – cases that could be fatal if not treated in a hospital urgently.

Sarah Deink holds her child as they take refuge in Alsafat Camp in Al Jazirah state. “I'm worried about the future of my children. I'm thinking about returning to Abyei so that I could provide an education for my children,” she says. Sudan, December 2023. FAIS ABUBAKR SHARE


“Health facilities were overwhelmed. As the number of people in the city had increased by 30 per cent, there were more and more patients, but considerable supply and staffing challenges,” says Slaymen Ammar, MSF medical coordinator for Sudan


“And as prices soared for all goods, access to lifesaving services was an obstacle for both displaced people and regular residents. Nowadays, with the departure of most international organisations – and despite efforts from local volunteer health workers – we can only assume it has worsened.” 


During the past month, in Gedaref and Kassala states – where we have been operational since 2021 in response to the Ethiopian Tigray crisis – MSF teams witnessed the arrival of thousands of people from Wad Madani, and are currently assessing and responding to the escalating health and humanitarian needs. 


In Tanideba (Gedaref), we have started a short-term emergency intervention for newly displaced Ethiopian refugees and newly displaced Sudanese citizens, covering basic healthcare, water and sanitation, as well as food rations. This included one-off distributions and donations. However, activities in Tanideba were temporarily reduced due to the escalation of conflict in Wad Madani.


AL BAKRI AL TAHER MALIK, A DISPLACED MAN FROM KHARTOUM, HAS BEEN INJURED TWICE BY THE FIGHTING IN SUDAN. 

“The war brought nothing but destruction and the separation of families. We lost our home, and we lost our city Khartoum. I lost my nephew. He died on the first day of Ramadan by a shell. He was divided into three parts.”

Al Bakri Al Taher Malik sits in a shelter for displaced people in Wad Madani, Al Jazirah state. He has been injured and displaced multiple times due to the conflict in Sudan. Sudan, December 2023. 
© FAIS ABUBAKR

The conflict in Sudan has caused immeasurable suffering, displaced millions, killed thousands, and injured countless others. For many displaced people, Gedaref and Kassala are just the latest stops in a long journey to seek safety, during which they have suffered violence and been without basic items, such as food, clean water, sanitation and access to medical care.  


“We are originally from Darfur, but because of the violent clashes and the crisis over there, we went to Khartoum. But the war followed us to Khartoum, so we went to Wad Madani. And then, the story continues,” says Maha*, a displaced woman who arrived with her family in Tanideba camp two weeks ago from Wad Madani.


Maha and her family fled Khartoum eight months ago, after shelling hit their home and severely injured one of Maha’s children.  


“We were six people in the house, and at that time I was nine months pregnant. Our house was destroyed. I was hit on my arm, but my child got a much worse injury on his head,” says Maha. 


“We managed to take him to the hospital because he needed urgent lifesaving surgery. But as soon as he was discharged, we had to flee the city because of insecurity. We arrived to the camp in Wad Madani, and I delivered there,” she says.


MARRY MONGA AND HER CHILDREN WERE FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOME IN KHARTOUM.

“My baby is one-month old, but he doesn't look it because I don't have any milk. When I think about the future, I want my children to receive an education. I don't want my children to go through what we went through.”

Marry Monga sits with her one-month-old baby in Alsafat Camp in Al Jazirah state. She fled Khartoum on 15 May due to violence and insecurity there. Sudan, 12 December 2023. © FAIS ABUBAKR


In mid-December, Maha and her family fled once again to Tanideba.

“Clashes started and we began hearing sounds of fires and armed men fighting again. We decided to leave immediately. I started thinking about where we should go. Nowhere was safe at that time.” 


In a region where healthcare and essential medicine were already extremely limited, displaced people are now suffering from growing health demands, stemming from direct and indirect effects of violence. Basic needs are not being met and an urgent response is desperately needed.  


“At the gathering sites in Kassala city, people who have been displaced told our teams they haven’t received any assistance since their arrival in mid to late December,” says Pauline Lenglart, MSF emergency project coordinator in Sudan.  


“Families are sleeping on the ground, access to healthcare is still severely restricted, there are few working medical facilities and medicines aren't provided for free,” says Lenglart. 


“Many people have told us that they are unable to afford items like food and medicine, forcing them to choose between these necessities. Our team is constantly evaluating the needs at new sites that are opening to house recently displaced people. 


“In all these places, we see that the amount of humanitarian assistance provided is still woefully inadequate to meet people’s basic needs and ensure dignified living conditions,” says Lenglart. 


*Name changed to protect identity. 


View original, explore accessibility optionshttps://www.msf.org/sudan-severe-humanitarian-needs-after-half-million-people-flee-violence-wad-madani 

ENDS 

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

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