NAIROBI: As civilians displaced by the conflict in Sudan seek refuge in neighboring South Sudan, they encounter a host of daunting challenges. Approximately 250,000 people, including a significant number of South Sudanese who had previously been residing in Sudan, have crossed the border since the conflict erupted in April. Many of them now find themselves in overcrowded camps, lacking access to food, sanitation, and basic healthcare services.
The dire health conditions in these camps are reflected in high malnutrition rates and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and measles. Aid agencies operating in the region express deep concern about the situation. The United Nations has issued a warning that the number of people fleeing Sudan could double by the end of the year if a settlement between the warring parties is not reached soon.
However, South Sudan, despite its willingness to provide sanctuary, faces significant challenges in accommodating this sudden influx of people. The nation is grappling with its own political and economic instability, making it an ineffective mediator in ending the conflict in Sudan. President Salva Kiir’s mediation efforts notwithstanding, South Sudan lacks the resources and infrastructure to adequately support the newly arrived displaced population.
The impact of the rainy season further complicates matters, as flooding disrupts access to remote refugee camps and hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid. South Sudan’s fragile economy, despite recent initiatives, calls into question its credibility as a mediator in Sudan’s conflict.
The ethnic and tribal dimensions of the Sudanese conflict are evident, with millions fleeing to neighboring countries, exposing political divisions within Sudan and along its porous borders. Ethnic tensions add to the complexity, making coordinated humanitarian aid distribution and conflict prevention strategies vital.
To minimize the risk of inter-communal violence, separate settlements have been established for the displaced Sudanese, rather than traditional refugee camps. However, the scarcity of essential resources remains a pressing issue for these displaced individuals.
Similar dire circumstances confront displaced Sudanese in other neighboring countries. In Chad, where over 400,000 people have fled the violence in Darfur, aid groups report desperate conditions, including the feeding of children on insects, grass, and leaves due to food shortages.
Malnutrition, diarrhea, and malaria are prevalent among the displaced, and dozens of children under the age of five have already succumbed to malnutrition in Chadian camps, according to the UN. The conflict in Sudan, now in its fifth month, has had devastating consequences, with over 7,500 lives lost, millions uprooted, and ongoing violence in various regions.
A cholera outbreak in eastern Sudan adds to the humanitarian crisis, with investigations underway to assess its potential spread. Gender-based violence, including rape, human trafficking, and early marriage, has surged amidst the conflict.
Despite diplomatic efforts to broker a truce, the situation remains dire, leaving those displaced with little hope of returning home in the near future. While the international community is taking notice of the crisis, humanitarian aid organizations struggle to meet the needs of the displaced, with only 19 percent of the requested $1 billion received from donors, warns UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.
