Showing posts with label UNICEF. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNICEF. Show all posts

Friday, March 29, 2024

UK CHANNEL 4 NEWS VIDEO FROM CHAD-SUDAN. UK doubles its aid to Sudan to £89m as crisis escalates

Report from Channel 4 News UK
By LINDSEY HILSUM
International Editor for Channel 4 News
Dated Thursday, 28 March 2024 - here is a copy in full:

War and hunger force hundreds of thousands to flee Sudan

The UK is almost doubling its aid to Sudan, to £89 million, as the humanitarian crisis there continues to escalate.


It’s almost a year since Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces turned on each other – plunging the country into war. Millions have been displaced and half the population is facing famine.


The new conflict also re-ignited the two-decade-long war in the Darfur region, with the RSF and allied Arab militia resuming their slaughter of the ethnic African Masalit tribe.


More than half a million people have fled to overcrowded camps in Chad, where food supplies are also dwindling.


CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHANNEL 4 NEWS VIDEO FROM CHAD-SUDAN.
















Channel 4 is a British public broadcast service.

Reporter: 

@lindseyhilsum

Producer: 

@Zahra_ZW

Camera: Soren Munk

7:52 PM · Mar 28, 2024


Source: https://www.channel4.com/news/war-and-hunger-force-hundreds-of-thousands-to-flee-sudan

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Related


Press release

From Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and

The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP

Dated Thursday, 28 March 2024 - here is a copy in full:


UK to nearly double aid for Sudan as humanitarian crisis deepens


The UK announced more support for people in Sudan, including funding to UNICEF for emergency food assistance and support for survivors of gender-based violence.

  • UK support includes food and water for 500,000 children under 5 as Sudan’s humanitarian crisis grows
  • the funding boost comes as the UK’s Development and Africa Minister, Andrew Mitchell visits the Chad-Sudan border, witnessing the crisis first-hand
  • the UK again calls on the warring parties to commit to a lasting ceasefire and lift restrictions which are preventing aid reaching those who need it the most

The UK has today implemented additional support for people in Sudan, 1 year on from the start of the conflict.


This will include funding to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people particularly in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children under 5.  It will also support survivors of gender-based violence. The UK is committing an additional £4.95 million to provide 100,000 women and girls with a range of female genital mutilation, child marriage and gender-based violence prevention and response services.


The boost has been announced by the UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, during a 2-day visit to Chad where he visited a site for refugees driven over the border into Chad by the violence.  


In addition, the UK will be working with the World Food Programme to assist over 285,000 beneficiaries for 6 months by providing 13,405 tons of assorted food commodities.  These include cereals, pulses, oils and salt. 


It is part of a £89 million package the UK will deliver in Sudan in 2024 to 2025 – up from nearly £50 million in the current financial year.  


The  conflict in Sudan has caused more than 8 million people to flee their homes, with over 6 million displaced within Sudan itself. After almost a year of conflict, 25 million people in Sudan need assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis.  The UN has formally warned of the risk of famine in this year, with 18 million currently facing hunger in the country.


Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said: 


The conflict in Sudan is devastating lives. Millions are displaced and facing catastrophic hunger conditions. There is growing evidence of atrocities against civilians.


The package announced today will help save lives. We have not forgotten the war in Sudan - nor must the world. The urgent priority is to end the violence.


Whilst in Chad, Minister Mitchell met with the President of the Transition, Mahamat Deby and Prime Minister Masra to underline UK support for peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections. They also discussed how the UK and Chad could work together towards peace in Sudan. 

Photo: Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell during his visit to Chad, meeting refugees fleeing from violence and hunger in Sudan.


Background

  • the UK calls on both sides to end the fighting, to abide by their responsibilities under International Humanitarian Law, to protect civilians and to grant immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to allow the provision of, and access to, lifesaving assistance
  • the UK provided nearly £50 million in ODA funding for Sudan in 2023 to 2024 (including over £42 million in humanitarian assistance) *  for the next financial year (2024 to 2025), overall UK aid to Sudan will increase to £89 million. We have also been helping those fleeing to neighbouring countries as a result of the conflict in Sudan, providing £7.75 million in South Sudan including to support existing and new refugees, and £15 million to Chad over the last year
  • the conflict in Sudan began last April when violence erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Tensions between SAF General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) had been escalating for months following disagreements on a transition to a civilian led government
  • the humanitarian crisis has been heighted by restrictions to humanitarian access and communications blackouts. More than 700,000 people have crossed from Sudan into eastern Chad, putting pressure on already vulnerable communities and stretched services
  • reports of conflict-related sexual violence are widespread cross Sudan. The conflict also risks setting back progress in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage
  • throughout the conflict the UK aid-funded Sudan Free of FGM project has kept working to protect women and girls. The UK is providing an additional £4.95 million, which aims to support 100,000 additional women and girls with a range of female genital mutilation, child marriage and gender-based violence prevention and response services until March 2026.  This brings the total UK support to £19.95 million. The project has provided over 83,000 consultations for sexual and reproductive health services, helped over 100,000 people with mental health and psychosocial support, supported over 9,000 survivors of FGM, child marriage, and gender-based violence and protected over 11,700 children in child-friendly spaces
  • the UK aid-funded Sudan Free of FGM works with communities to alter social attitudes around FGM and child marriage, supports survivors of gender-based violence, and provides sexual and reproductive health care. It is delivered by UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations Population Fund
  • Sudan has one of the highest rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world and is one of the few countries where child marriage remains legal. Nearly 9 in 10 women and girls aged 15 to 49 have undergone some form of FGM. 60% of girls are married before they turn 18

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.


Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-to-nearly-double-aid-for-sudan-as-humanitarian-crisis-deepens

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Sudan Watch - March 17, 2024

From Chatham House 

EXPERT COMMENT by Dame Rosalind Marsden March 14, 2024

'Sudan’s forgotten war: A new diplomatic push is needed'

Ali Karti, SG of Sudan’s Islamic Movement, widely seen as a mastermind of Sudan's war, has now announced a truce with RSF will never be accepted

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2024/03/ali-karti-sg-of-sudans-islamic-movement.html

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Troika statement on South Sudan Elections 2024

The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) have reaffirmed their call for peaceful elections in South Sudan. Updated: 20 March 2024

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END

Thursday, December 28, 2023

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.

***

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


ENDS

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Sudan: UNICEF is working with partners to help 200 orphan babies evacuated from Khartoum to Madani

NOTE from Sudan Watch Editor: This copy of a post at X by Channel 4 News 19 Dec 2023 links to its video report containing news of 200 orphaned babies evacuated from Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum to Wad Madani, Aj Jazirah. It shows footage of the orphans and their carer tearfully pleading for help, saying of the 200 babies he looks after, half need specialist care. 

The video report shows a UNICEF logo behind Ms. Mandeep O'Brien, Sudan Country Representative, UNICEF saying: “These are safe spaces, we are deeply worried about their situation and we are currently working with partners to see what practical solutions can be done to help these children”. Here is an intro to the report, copied from the website of Channel 4 News:

19 Dec 2023
250,000 flee Sudan’s second city as paramilitary seizes control 
By Keme Nzerem 
A quarter of a million people have been forced to flee heavy fighting in a part of Sudan which was supposed to be a safe haven. The UN said the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces had seized control of the country’s second city Wad Madani – where hundreds of thousands of people from Khartoum have been seeking shelter. Aid organisations have suspended their work in the area, with reports of widespread looting. 
Keme Nzerem reports. 

Channel 4 News is the main news programme on British television broadcaster Channel 4. It is produced by ITN, and has been in operation since Channel 4's launch in November 1982. -Wikipedia

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Related

Sudan Watch - May 29, 2023

Khartoum orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies died as fighting prevented staff reaching them

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/05/khartoum-orphanage-50-children.html


Sudan Watch - December 20, 2023

Sudan: ICRC please help the children evacuated from Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum to Wad Madani

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/12/sudan-icrc-please-help-children.html


ENDS

Sudan: ICRC please help the children evacuated from Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum to Wad Madani

PLEASE help these children, their carers and Radwan Abdel-Jabbar, one of the workers at Mygoma Orphanage who has made a desperate plea for help in the video below. 300 orphans were dramatically evacuated by ICRC on 7 June 2023 from the Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum and taken to safety in Wad Madani, Aj Jazirah State where 200 are now in need of urgent help.

A translation of the below copied videos posted at X says: "The head of the Meguma Orphanage through tears urges leaders and international organizations to help evacuate 200 children, most of them with disabilities, and orphanage staff as soon as possible. The situation is getting worse in Madani ( #السودان ). 200 children with disabilities whose lives are in danger! #KeepEyesOnSudan"

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Related

Sudan Watch - May 29, 2023

Khartoum orphanage - 50 children including 24 babies died as fighting prevented staff reaching them

https://sudanwatch.blogspot.com/2023/05/khartoum-orphanage-50-children.html

END

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Sudan Humanitarian Update (23 November 2023)

ANALYSIS

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)


BACKGROUND (4 days ago) 


Sudan: Seven months of conflict, Key Facts and Figures


Seven months after fighting erupted, Sudan is facing one of the fastest unfolding crises globally, with unprecedented needs in such a short period. Close to 6.2 million people – about one in every eight people in the country - have fled their homes since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started in mid-April. They have sought refuge within Sudan or in neighbouring countries.


Almost 5 million displaced within Sudan and 1.2 million crossed the borders


According to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM), close to 5 million people have been displaced by fighting within Sudan and have sought refuge in 5,312 locations across all 18 states. The displaced are from eight states, with the majority - about 3.4 million people (68 per cent of all internally displaced) - originally from Khartoum. Most have sought refuge in River Nile followed by South Darfur, East Darfur, Aj Jazirah, White Nile, North Darfur, Northern, Sennar and other states. About 1.2 million people have crossed into the neighbouring Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan as of  10 November, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).


Close to 3,000 suspected cholera cases, other disease outbreaks


Disease outbreaks are increasing due to the disruption of basic public health services, including disease surveillance, functioning public health laboratory and rapid response teams. In addition, insecurity, displacement, limited access to medicines, medical supplies, electricity, and water continue to pose enormous challenges to delivering health care across the country. About 65 per cent of the population lack access to healthcare and between 70 - 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are no longer functional. Meanwhile, almost 3,000 suspected cases of cholera, including 95 deaths, have been reported from seven states as of 12 November, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Other disease outbreaks are ongoing in several states, including measles, malaria and dengue.


19 million children out of school


The conflict has deprived about 12 million children of schooling since April, with the total number of children in Sudan who are out of school reaching 19 million, Save the Children (SC) and the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF) reported. Of this total, 6.5 million children — or 1 in every 3 children in the country — have lost access to school due to increased violence and insecurity, with at least 10,400 schools now closed in conflict - affected areas. Meanwhile, over 5.5 million children who reside in areas less affected by war are waiting for local authorities to confirm whether classrooms can be re-opened. Before April, nearly 7 million children were already out of school. If the war continues, no child in Sudan can return to school in the coming months, exposing them to immediate and long-term dangers, including displacement, recruitment into armed groups and sexual violence. Sudan is on the brink of becoming home to the worst education crisis in the world,” according to UNICEF.


Livelihoods decimated, economy to shrink by 12 per cent in 2023


The conflict is devastating the livelihoods of millions of people in Sudan. According to the World Bank, the economy is expected to contract by 12 per cent in 2023 because the conflict has halted production and destroyed human capital and state capacity. The growth forecast for Sudan has been revised downward by 12.5 percentage points as the armed conflict has damaged the country’s industrial base and education and health facilities. It has also led to a collapse in economic activity — including commerce, financial, and information and communications technology services — and the erosion of state capacity, with detrimental impacts on food security and forced displacement. For comparison, the economies of Yemen and Syria have shrunk by about 50 per cent over the past decade, or about 5 per cent per year on average. The pace of economic contraction in Sudan seems to have doubled that.


About 4.5 million people receive lifesaving assistance since April


Despite various challenges - insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity problems, lack of cash, and few technical and humanitarian staff on the ground – affecting the delivery of  humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country, the humanitarian organizations have reached about 4.5 million people with multisectoral life-saving assistance and 5.5 million people with livelihood support since the start of the conflict. Prior to the conflict, 2.7 million people were reached with some form of humanitarian assistance from January to March 2023. This includes vital education, health, food, nutrition, water assistance and protection services.


More funding needed to reach more people


The 156 UN and NGO partners in Sudan can provide more people with assistance and services if the funding for humanitarian response is expedited. The revised 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$2.6 billion to provide life-saving multi-sectoral and protection assistance to 18.1 million people in desperate need through the end of this year. According to the Financial Tracking Service, the appeal is only 33.4 per cent funded, with $856.2 million received as of 15 November.


For the full PDF document, please click here

__________________________________ 


Sudan Humanitarian Update 23 November 2023

ANALYSIS

People displaced from Khartoum receive food assistance in Wad Medani, Aj Jazirah State | Credit: OCHA/Ala Kheir


HIGHLIGHTS


• The number of people displaced inside and outside Sudan since mid-April has reached 6.3 million.
 

• About 5.1 million people have been displaced within Sudan. People have been displaced in 5,473 locations across all 18 states.
 

• Since mid-April, over 3,130 allegations of severe child rights violations have been reported in the country, with the Darfur region bearing at least half of the cases.
 

• If the ban blocking the movement of surgical supplies is not lifted, MSF may have to suspend surgical operations at the Turkish Hospital in Khartoum.
 

• Between April and 15 October, 154 humanitarian partners reached about 4.5 million people with life-saving assistance.
 

• The revised 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan appeal is only 34.5 per cent funded as of 23 November.


SITUATION OVERVIEW


Since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted in mid-April, an estimated 6.3 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 in the world as prior to the fighting there were 3.7 million people internally displaced in Sudan. It is also now the country with the largest child displacement crisis in the world. ACLED estimates that more than 10,400 people have been killed since the fighting broke out in April, of which about 1,300 killings happened between 30 September and 27 October.


According to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM) Sudan Response Situation Update, #32, about 5.1 million people have been displaced within Sudan. People have been displaced in 5,473 locations across all of Sudan’s 18 states, an increase of 161 locations in one week. Most of the displaced people have taken refuge in South Darfur (12.28 per cent), River Nile (11.99 per cent), East Darfur (10.59 per cent), White Nile (8.32 per cent), North Darfur (8.31 per cent), and Northern (7.09 per cent) states. According to IOM field teams, about 66.8 per cent of the displaced people (about 3.4 million people) are originally from Khartoum State. IOM also estimates that approximately 2.39 per cent of the people displaced within Sudan are non-Sudanese nationals.


In addition, about 1.2 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.


Refugee update

Prior to the outbreak of the conflict in mid-April 2023 there were just under 1,445,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Sudan. Many of these were subsequently forced to move, following the conflict outbreak, to other areas within Sudan which were considered safer, while others crossed into neighbouring countries. UNHCR reports that between 15 April and 14 November, over 195,000 refugees have moved from conflict hotspots to safer areas in Sudan, of whom 70 per cent are children. The majority of refugees who have self-relocated have moved to White Nile (145,200), followed by Red Sea (16,000) and Gedaref (8,600), with the remainder spread across various states. South Sudanese refugees make up the majority of internal movements (161,200), followed by Ethiopian (6,700) and Eritrea refugees (5,000).


Refugee Consultation Forum (RCF) partners continue to deliver multi-sectoral assistance, prioritizing response for those living in camps. As of 31 October, about 848,100 refugees have been reached with at least one form of assistance. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services continue to be provided to ensure access to safe water in refugee camps and settlements, and protection response remains prioritized. Assistance also continues to be delivered in other sectors including education, food security and livelihoods (FSL), health, nutrition, and shelter and non-food items (S/NFIs).


Group of Sudanese and international civil groups sound alarm on atrocities in Sudan

On 15 November, 50 Sudanese and international civil society groups raised the alarm on future atrocities being committed in Sudan, based on the patterns of atrocities that have occurred in the previous seven months of war. They called on the international community to take decisive preventative action to prevent further atrocities from being perpetrated. These civic groups said they have evidence of crimes against humanity, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) being perpetrated against civilians during the conflict. They called on stakeholders to urgently act to ensure the parties to the conflict adhere to obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL), including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other treaties which Sudan is party to, commitments reflected in the Constitutional Declaration of 2019 and the Juba Peace Agreement of 2020 and commitments both parties made under the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan.


Spike in severe child rights violations in Darfur

Since the war broke out in April, over 3,130 allegations of severe child rights violations have been reported in the country, with the Darfur region bearing at least half of the cases, reports the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF). Actual numbers are likely much higher. The number of severe child rights violations in Darfur has spiked 550 per cent compared to the verified number in all of 2022. The escalation of conflict in Darfur has exposed children to increased risks of recruitment, sexual violence, killing and maiming. Of all the killing and maiming incidents reported across Sudan, 51 per cent involve children in Darfur. In addition, 48 per cent of the total reported sexual violence cases in Sudan have occurred in Darfur, reports UNICEF.


Disease outbreaks continue to be reported across the country

The country is faced with several disease outbreaks including acute watery diarrhoea/cholera, measles, dengue, and malaria. 


An estimated 70 per cent of hospitals in states affected by conflict are not working, and the remaining ones are overwhelmed by the influx of people seeking care, many of whom are internally displaced, says the World Health Organization (WHO).


The number of suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea/cholera continues to increase with cases now reported across eight states. Overall, 3,591 suspected cases (including 115 associated deaths and a case fatality rate (CFR) of 3.2 per cent), have been reported as of 20 November, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and WHO Outbreaks Dashboard


This includes 1,571 suspected cases of cholera and 44 associated deaths in Gedaref; 951 cases and 20 deaths in Aj Jazirah; 424 cases and 26 deaths in Khartoum; 346 cases and eight deaths in South Kordofan; 44 cases and three deaths in Kassala; 113 cases and five deaths in Red Sea; 30 cases and one death in Sennar; and 112 cases and eight deaths in White Nile.


The FMoH reports that the cumulative number of suspected measles cases has reached over 1,100 with active cases in Blue Nile, Aj Jazirah, Sennar and White Nile states, says UNICEF. For 2023, UNICEF targeted 1.7 million children to be vaccinated against measles. As of 31 October, UNICEF and partners were able to vaccinate 727,000 children—only 4 per cent of the target—of whom about 65,000 were vaccinated in October.


Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) cases are increasing across the country with 5,077 cases and 25 associated deaths reported across three states as of 17 November, according to the FMoH and WHO. This includes 3,176 cases and two deaths in Khartoum; 1,881 cases and 23 deaths in Gedaref; and two cases in Aj Jazirah.


Ban on transportation of lifesaving surgical supplies to Khartoum puts hundreds at risk

On 14 November, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) called on Sudanese authorities to lift the 2 October ban blocking lifesaving surgical supplies from reaching hospitals serving people in areas of Khartoum that are under the control of the RSF, which is likely to cause the deaths of hundreds of patients. According to MSF, the policy is intended to prevent wounded opposition soldiers from receiving treatment however, it also prevents women and children from receiving lifesaving surgeries, including caesarean sections. MSF suspended surgical operations at Bashair Teaching Hospital in mid-October as a result of this ban and may soon have to suspend operations at the Turkish Hospital. Both hospitals are located in southern Khartoum city. Two-thirds of the surgeries carried out in the Turkish Hospital are caesarean sections, where in the past two months alone 170 such surgeries were carried out, without which many women and their newborn babies would have died. Women in labour needing C-sections already have very few options available to them in Khartoum.


The ban not only affects supplies but also the movement of personnel. Humanitarian workers—including medical staff—are also being denied travel permits. Not a single member of MSF's medical staff—Sudanese or foreign—has received authorization to travel to southern Khartoum for work since early October. MSF supplies and staff are ready and waiting in Wad Madani, less than 200 kilometres from Khartoum. If MSF is not able to bring in more supplies, the operating theatre in the Turkish Hospital will have to close its doors and women, children, and men in need of lifesaving surgery will be unable to receive treatment.


Conflict and impact on civilians

Conflict between SAF and RSF and inter-communal clashes in the Darfur and Kordofan regions have led to civilian deaths and displacement.


In South Darfur, inter-communal clashes renewed between Salamat and Habaniya tribesmen on 16 November in Buram locality, South Darfur State, reports IOM DTM. This follows previous clashes between the two tribes within the same locality on 11 November. The clashes took place across Nadhif and Marfaeina villages. As a result, 10 people were reportedly killed, an unconfirmed number of people were injured, and 40 people reportedly missing. IOM field teams report that about 30,000 people (6,000 families) have been displaced from the conflict areas to Buram town and surrounding villages as well as to As Sunta town in Sunta locality.


In North Darfur, inter-communal clashes erupted between the Zaghawa and Arab Abala tribesmen on 17 November in Rawuaina and Hela Esma villages of Dar As Salam locality, North Darfur State, reports IOM DTM. The incident reportedly occurred over a land dispute. As a result of the clashes, three people were reportedly killed and about 1,100 people were displaced to Abu Zeriga village in Dar As Salam locality, reports IOM DTM. The situation remains tense and unpredictable.


In North Kordofan State, five people were reportedly killed after armed clashes renewed on 13 November between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Obeid town, capital of North Kordofan State. Clashes were reported at the El Obeid military headquarters as well as in Al Safa and Al Matar neighbourhoods. No civilian displacement has been reported.


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.


During the June-September planting season, FAO distributed close to 10,000 metric tonnes (MT) of seeds to 1 million farming families – or 5 million people. According to a summer season assessment, the total planted area of all crops is estimated to be 15 per cent lower than the annual average during the summer season. In addition to the conflict being an impediment, farmers reported high agricultural input prices (seeds, tools) and a critical lack of inputs, finance and extension services as additional challenges.


On 14 November, 2.2 million doses of oral cholera vaccine (OCV) from the International Coordination Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) Secretariat arrived in Port Sudan, with 652,000 more doses expected to be delivered on 20 November, WHO reported. Cholera vaccination campaigns will start in six localities in Gedaref State by the end of November, then in Aj Jazirah and Khartoum states targeting a total of 2.9 million people aged 1 year and above. As of 12 November, close to 3,000 suspected cases of cholera were reported from seven states, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and WHO. In addition, 7.5 million doses of rubella and measles vaccines arrived in Port Sudan, according to UNICEF.


Overall, between April and 15 October 2023, 154 humanitarian partners reached about 4.5 million people with life-saving assistance, according to the latest Humanitarian Response Dashboard. In addition, 5.5 million people received livelihood assistance during the same period. Prior to the conflict, 2.7 million people were reached with life-saving assistance between January and March. This includes the provision of vital education, health, food, nutrition, water and protection assistance.


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. According to the Financial Tracking Service, the appeal is only 34.5 per cent funded, with $883.9 million received as of 22 November, according to the Financial Tracking Service.

For previous humanitarian updates:


Read more: https://reports.unocha.org/en/country/sudan/card/2rMB59J8Gr/

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