Nearly 20,000 displaced in Sudan conflict, says UNHCR

July 18, 2023 (NEW YORK/KHARTOUM) – Nearly 20,000 people were displaced by fighting inside Sudan in the past week, the United Nations citing figures provided by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

Overall, it said, more than 2.6 million people have been internally displaced since the start of the conflict between the rival military factions in Sudan on 15 April.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said more than 730,000 people have fled Sudan for neighbouring countries.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and the head of the World Food Programme (WFP) Cindy McCain, visited a camp hosting Sudanese refugees in eastern Chad on Tuesday.

Mohammed reportedly said she was inspired by the courage of those who had fled there, many of whom were women and children.

“She said that she also heard stories of unimaginable suffering in Sudan and enormous needs in Chad,” Stephane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

“More international support is needed for refugees and their host communities”, he added.

In North Darfur, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) and partners are reportedly supporting water trucking to gathering sites for internally displaced people, as well as healthcare facilities. They also constructed more than two dozen latrines.

Dujarric further said the UN health agency (WHO) is working closely with Sudan’s Ministry of Health and other partners in states sheltering internally displaced people to provide essential, reproductive, sexual, maternal and pediatric care.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners also managed to deliver life-saving supplies, including 3,000 reproductive health kits, to six hospitals in Khartoum state.

The UN spokesperson further explained that UNFPA is committed to reaching all women and girls in need in Sudan with urgent health and protection services.

Up to 25 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid and protection, the UN says.

(ST)