UNHCR: Sudan Crisis Deepens as Conflict Displaces Millions
Over a year into the conflict in Sudan, the humanitarian situation remains dire, with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) deeply concerned about continued violence and devastating conditions across the country, reliefweb reported in an article yesterday.
It said that, for the first time since the war began, UNHCR staff were able to access Omdurman in Khartoum State, a city severely impacted by the fighting. They witnessed “massive destruction” and “high levels of suffering” among the displaced population, which has been cut off from aid for months.
According to the source, UNHCR met with local officials and displaced Sudanese and refugees, who described their struggles to access food, education, healthcare and shelter. “Displaced families told UNHCR of their fears of children becoming malnourished due to soaring prices,” the agency said in a statement.
The violence has also taken a heavy toll in Darfur, where UNHCR reports dozens of villages have been targeted, with reports of indiscriminate killings, sexual violence, and separated children.
Nearly 6.7 million people are now internally displaced in Sudan, while over 920,000 refugees from neighboring countries remain in the country. Over 1.8 million Sudanese have fled to neighboring states.
“UNHCR continues to call for the safety of civilians, safe access for aid agencies, and a cessation of hostilities,” the agency said. But with only 10% of the $2.6 billion required for the humanitarian response funded, the crisis remains severely underfunded.
