Sudan's war displaces 14M, Cholera kills hundreds

CAIRO – 17 October 2024: Sudan is facing a severe humanitarian crisis as the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate the nation.

The war has led to one of the largest displacement crises, with millions of civilians fleeing their homes, food shortages, and critical healthcare services collapsing under the strain. Thousands are at risk of famine, as many areas are under siege by the Rapid Support Forces, cutting off food and medical supplies.

To support the flow of humanitarian aid, the international coalition "United" has called for the indefinite extension of the open Adré border crossing between Sudan and Chad. The coalition emphasized that keeping the border open is essential to ensuring that aid reaches those in desperate need.

This call comes as Major General Nasr El-Din Abdel Fattah, Commander of the Armored Corps in the Sudanese Armed Forces, announced that victory over the Rapid Support Forces is near in Khartoum and El Fasher, following an inspection of the army's advanced defenses in southern Khartoum.

The coalition "United" has urged the Transitional Sovereignty Council to keep the Adré border crossing permanently open. Since its reopening on August 15, 2024, more than 200 trucks loaded with supplies have crossed into Sudan, benefiting 615,000 people at risk of starvation. Initially, the border was reopened for three months following a decision by the Sovereignty Council.

In a statement, the coalition called for the indefinite extension of the border opening to ensure the continued delivery of humanitarian aid. They also requested the warring parties in Sudan to facilitate the use of Kadugli Airport in South Kordofan for relief flights organized by the UN and other humanitarian agencies.

The "United" coalition, which includes the United Nations, the African Union, IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), the United States, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Switzerland, has also proposed that flights from South Sudan be used to address the technical aviation challenges currently facing Sudan. They further suggested establishing a mechanism to resolve conflicts and provide security for air operations.

The ongoing war in Sudan continues to displace civilians at an alarming rate. According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of people displaced by the conflict has surged to 14 million, including both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

The report highlighted that 10.9 million people are internally displaced across Sudan, with more than 3.1 million crossing borders into neighboring countries. These displaced individuals are living in over 9,000 sites across 183 localities in Sudan's 18 states.

Before the current conflict, 3.8 million people had already been displaced due to the war in Darfur, which began in 2003. Since the escalation of violence on April 15, 2023, 1.07 million people who had already been displaced faced secondary or even tertiary displacement, while 2.74 million remain displaced in their original areas.

The report also revealed that more than 8.16 million people have been displaced since the outbreak of the current war, with 33% fleeing from Khartoum, 19% from South Darfur, and 14% from North Darfur. Additionally, 52% of internally displaced persons are children under the age of 18, many of whom face severe hardships.

The report further stated that 71% of the 3.1 million refugees crossing Sudan's borders were Sudanese citizens, while the remaining refugees were foreign nationals returning to their home countries.

The IOM revealed that 1.2 million people have fled to Egypt, 829,911 to South Sudan, and 862,422 to Chad. Meanwhile, 20,553 refugees have sought safety in Libya, 156,944 in Ethiopia, and 35,228 in the Central African Republic.

In addition to the humanitarian crisis, Sudan is grappling with a deadly cholera outbreak. According to the Sudanese Ministry of Health, the number of cholera-related deaths has risen to 699. The ministry also reported that cases of dengue fever have reached 2,024, with nine fatalities.

A recent report from the Ministry of Health disclosed 82 new cases of cholera, including one death on Monday, bringing the total number of cases across 74 localities in 11 states to 24,604, including 699 deaths.

Efforts to combat the cholera outbreak have led to a reduction in cases in some states, including Kassala, Khartoum, River Nile, Northern State, and Gedaref. However, other states, such as Al Jazira, Sennar, and White Nile, are seeing an increase in cases.

Sudan's humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as the conflict drags on. With millions of people displaced, food shortages, and a growing cholera outbreak, the situation is dire. The international community is working to extend the open Adré border and facilitate the delivery of critical aid, but the scale of the crisis demands a sustained and coordinated global response.