“Everybody is trying to leave Khartoum because practically no one is sure of his remaining there and being safe. And so people run away. I also had to leave, I crossed the border by car. There is a huge need for help both in Sudan and in neighbouring countries to accommodate people fleeing the conflict”. Through Caritas Internationalis, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum Daniel Marco Kur Adwok appealed for humanitarian support for the people affected by the conflict in Sudan, which escalated on April 15 due to intensive fighting between military forces and armed militia fighters.
According to the UNHCR, the humanitarian situation in the country is dire due to food, water and fuel shortages, as well as the rising cost of essential items within the Sudan. In addition, with the upcoming rainy season, there is growing concern about the mobility of those fleeing the country.
Msgr. Daniel Marco Kur Adwok, Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum.
Prior to the conflict, almost 16 million people were already in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023. In addition, neighbouring countries – already hosting large refugee and internally displaced populations – are unable to adequately support the new arrivals coming from Sudan.
“I think the biggest group is going to South Sudan because it is nearer and it is less costly. So they are now flocking the border. But some have gone as far as Chad, others to Central Africa, another group are headed northwards towards the border with Egypt. And then I think there was a group to Eritrea. But what I am hearing is that even the refugees from Eritrea who were in Sudan have now moved towards south. So perhaps they might be going to countries like Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and so forth,” said Bishop Adwok.
Caritas in neighbouring countries have commenced support for those fleeing Sudan including food distribution, psychosocial support and transport services coordinated and organised by Caritas and other humanitarian agencies. It is reported that many of those fleeing Sudan to South Sudan are returnees who had originally fled in search of peace from the ongoing conflicts and political unrest in their own homeland.
Bishop Adwok is calling to support affected populations – including indigenous peoples, foreigners, refugees and displaced persons – fleeing Khartoum and other parts of the country. The growing crisis is leading to mass displacement as a result of intensive warfare and failed ceasefire attempts called for by international actors. In addition, the delivery of assistance has been greatly hampered and those who are in most need of food, medical or logistical assistance are hardly reached by humanitarian agencies.
“As Caritas Sudan we don’t have the capacity. In fact, before this crisis, we were just we were just starting to relaunch the local Caritas because it had been deactivated for 10 years. We need support and expertise to help people in need,” added Bishop Adwok.