Sudan’s WAD MADANI: Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced in Sudan since the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began six weeks ago, with the great majority opting to remain within the country’s boundaries.
Al-Jazirah, a three-hour drive southeast of Khartoum, has received the greatest number of individuals fleeing the war-torn Sudanese capital, becoming something of a microcosm of the greater displacement issue.
While individuals fleeing to Al-Jazirah avoided the perilous voyage across bridges, canals, and international borders to safety, many have faced additional challenges in displacement camps, with limited access to healthcare, shelter, and food.
Due to the growing number of displaced people, Al-Jazirah is experiencing severe shortages of medicine, gasoline, and food, which would normally be transported from Khartoum to Sudan’s many outlying states.
According to Sudan’s commissioner of humanitarian aid, Asaad Al-Sir Mohammed, relief organizations are operating on the ground in Al-Jazirah coping with the surge of the displaced. However, capacity is already at a premium.
“We are well networked with all organizations in Sudan,” he told Arab News. “We now have organizations with us that specialize in dealing with refugees.” Coordination is in place with the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.”
A number of organizations, including the UN refugee agency UNHCR, Alight, ZOA, the Danish Refugee Council, Medical Teams International, and Islamic Relief, have agreed to collaborate with Sudan’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Humanitarian Aid Commission, and Commission of Refugees.
“Our plan is to absorb the first trauma for the displaced and provide them with housing worthy of their humanity, and then the organizations will intervene,” Mohammed explained. “A number of organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have already begun work on the mandate.”
Source: Arab News
