JUBA: Tens of thousands of refugees who fled ethnic violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray region now find themselves trapped in a worsening humanitarian crisis in neighboring Sudan. Once a safe haven for the displaced, Sudan is now grappling with its own conflict, leaving refugees in a dire situation.
Refugees like Adise Gemechu, who left Tigray and now resides in Khartoum, describe the Sudanese capital as chaotic and fearful. Airstrikes and gun battles have forced families to stay indoors, with limited access to food and basic necessities.
The city of Khartoum, home to 5 million people, is facing food shortages, power blackouts, and communication disruptions. Inflation is soaring, and looting has plagued hospitals, banks, shops, and wheat silos.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has claimed the lives of approximately 1,000 people, predominantly in Khartoum and the embattled state of West Darfur. Mediation efforts led by Saudi Arabia have been underway to halt the violence and facilitate humanitarian aid.
Refugees in Sudan face a challenging predicament, torn between the dangers of returning to their homes in Ethiopia’s Tigray and the hardships of remaining in Sudan. Limited access to food has forced many families to reduce their meals to just one per day.
The situation is particularly dire for Tigrayans who fled persecution, as well as refugees and migrants from Eritrea and neighboring countries. Prior to the recent conflict, Sudan was already hosting 1.1 million refugees, making it one of the largest refugee-hosting nations globally.
Ethiopian Refugees
However, over 700,000 people have been internally displaced by the violence, and nearly 200,000 have fled Sudan for neighboring countries, raising concerns about regional stability.
Refugee camps, like Um Rakuba in eastern Sudan, are facing deteriorating conditions due to limited access to aid caused by unsafe roads and skyrocketing inflation. Basic necessities have become unaffordable for many refugees.
The conflict between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which began in November 2020, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, mass displacement, and famine-like conditions.
The peace agreement reached between the government and the TPLF has not effectively addressed the ongoing challenges faced by Tigrayans. The presence of Eritrean forces and disputes over the status of Western Tigray continue to hinder the safe return of displaced communities.
Tigrayan activists argue that the peace agreement lacks proper representation for their people and has not been adequately implemented. They emphasize the need for a resolution within Ethiopia to ensure the safe return of Tigrayans caught in the Sudanese crisis.
While expressing gratitude to the people of Sudan for their kindness and hospitality, activists call for a swift resolution to the conflicts that will enable refugees to return safely to their homes.
