Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 10th August. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said on Friday that millions of displaced people in Sudan suffering from the devastating impact of a 16-month-long war are now facing with worst conditions due to heavy seasonal rains and flooding.
UNHCR noted that the conflict began last April between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has left over 12 million people displaced within Sudan and across its borders.
UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado told journalists at a regular press briefing that “Heavy rains and flooding have already impacted tens of thousands of people across Sudan, causing further displacement, injuries and deaths”.
The refugees in eastern Kassala province have been impacted by severe floods, including many families who arrived after fleeing violence in Sennar state and who were sheltering in five gathering sites and reception centres, the agency said.
Ms. Sarrado informed the press that the displaced have been forced to move three or four times since the start of the conflict.
“They have lost their belongings, including food rations, and are facing significant challenges in accessing clean water and sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases,” she said.
“[We] and our partners are on the ground making every effort to assist the most vulnerable. Together with state authorities, new land has been identified where tents are lovcated.”
Children are most at risk due to the prevailing insecurity and multiple displacements, their futures are also at risk.
According to the UNICEF 18 million children in Sudan are out of schools.
Sheldon Yett, incoming Representative for Sudan at UNICEF spoke from Port Sudan, stressed that classes, even if remote, are vital.
“It provides a location, a sense of normalcy for children, a place for them to meet with their friends, their peers, to feel at home. It is crucial that we get schools up and running, that we get them open, that schools are actually used for education, not for displaced centres, but for places for students for learning. And we have more work to do on that,” he said.
“This is the largest displacement crisis in the world right now. Many schools are hosting displaced populations. We need to ensure those schools are reopened for children.”
According to UNHCR, the situation is dire in Shagarab refugee camp, where over 400 shelters have been destroyed, left vulnerable population in even greater distress.
The agency’s teams are bracing for impacts in other states, including Gedaref, White Nile, and Blue Nile, prepositioning key relief items and shelter kits, cleaning drainage systems and building dikes to protect.
In Darfur region, flooding is severely hindering the ability of aid agencies to reach those in need, exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian situation.
The conflict in Sudan has decimated crops and livelihoods, with the climate crisis endanger the displaced population.
Flooded land has rendered farming impossible, intensifying hunger in regions already plagued by drought and violence.
UNHCR launched a regional floods appeal for $40 million to assist and protect 5.6 million refugees, returnees, internally displaced persons and local communities across East Africa, including in Sudan.
Only $5 million have been secured, UNHCR reported.
Comments are closed.