People gather at the station to flee from Khartoum during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan April 19, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Sudan: We need your help to protect families caught up in conflict

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The situation in Sudan took a terrifying turn on April 15, as fighting erupted, forcing civilians to seek shelter from the heavy fighting that has raged on for days.
Article 18 April 2023 Sudan

A shipment of 8 tons of emergency medical supplies arrived in Khartum on 25 May. These supplies are being distributed to seven hospitals and include anesthesia and antibiotics among other medications, dressings, sutures and infusions that can treat hundreds of people severely wounded by weapons.

Hospitals in Khartoum and other parts of the country affected by violence are running out of medical supplies and food. We have received calls from hospitals that have been going for days without electricity and water because electrical water pumps are not functioning. They can no longer provide the most essential services.

"Only 20% of health facilities in Khartoum are still functioning, a true collapse of the system right when it's needed the most," said Alfonso Verdu Perez, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan.

Help Save Lives

Since the start of the fighting, thousands of people have been displaced within Sudan's borders, and tens of thousands more have found refuge in neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Chad and the Central African Republic.

We continue calling, bilaterally and publicly, on all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes taking all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injuries and loss of life, treat detainees humanely and provide the necessary humanitarian space for the first responders to be able to care for the wounded and collect dead bodies in a dignified manner.

We are deeply worried for people's lives as violence in Sudan continues to escalate and spread. We have seen time and again how civilians pay the highest price when neighbourhoods become battlefields and streets turn into frontlines. They urgently need your support today and in the weeks and months to come.

Patrick Youssef
ICRC Regional Head of Africa

Conflict deepens humanitarian crisis

The latest flare-up of armed violence deepens a humanitarian crisis in a country that has suffered from years of violence, instability, and economic hardship. In Darfur, more than three million people are displaced. This is out of 3.7 million people displaced across the country. These numbers may rise if fighting continues to spread and intensify.

Food insecurity and malnutrition is already a huge problem in Sudan. The prices of staple goods have soared – up by over 150% as of the end of 2022 – putting food and necessities out of reach for the poorest and most vulnerable.

Support families in Sudan

The situation is urgent

The urgency of the situation today cannot be overstated as families are torn apart and communities are left reeling from the devastating impact of the ongoing violence.

Sudan's capital Khartoum has been the focus of attention, but violence is taking place in other parts of the country as well. In Darfur, for example, civilian casualties have also been reported. In some places, we can't even fully assess humanitarian needs because our teams cannot move around safely.

 

Our response 

Since fighting erupted weeks ago in Sudan, the ICRC has: 

  • Delivered medicines and supplies to treat trauma injuries to three hospitals
  • In the Central African Republic, we have teamed up with volunteers from the Central African Red Cross Society (CARCS) to ensure access to clean water by installing water storage bladders and toilets and distributing jerrycans and chlorine for water disinfection.
  • We are also distributing medicines in Am Dafock to people crossing the border, as well as residents and providing phone services for displaced population to reach their families and are also supporting efforts to assist unaccompanied children.
  • In South Sudan, we have teamed up with the South Sudanese Red Cross Society to deploy a rapid response team to assess the needs and bring humanitarian assistance for returnees and displaced Sudanese nationals entering a country that has long experienced its own conflict and violence.
  • In Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent, which is the only relief organization present at that border, established a centre for relief and emergency services at the Arqin border crossing with Sudan. People fleeing to Egypt are provided with psychological support, medicines and food. We are supporting the ERCS to provide telephone and online communications to reach their loved ones.
  • A team from the Ethiopian Red Cross Society provided drinking water, food, and basic shelter to people who crossed the border in Metema. In addition, the ICRC and ERCS are providing phone call services to all displaced persons to stay in touch with their families.

 

How you can help

Donations to our Sudan Emergency Appeal will support and enable our humanitarian activities in the country. Learn more about our work in Sudan here.

Our work in Sudan

We have been present in Sudan for four decades, since 1978. Our present work, in collaboration with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), spans across a wide range of areas, as indicated below:

  • Supporting hospitals and health facilities with equipment and supplies
  • Providing emergency assistance to displaced people in conflict-affected areas
  • Helping families separated by conflict keep in touch with their loved ones
  • Working with local water authorities to improve people's access to clean water
  • Assisting local authorities in providing rehabilitation services for people with disabilities
  • Training members of state and non-state armed groups trained in IHL

 

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