Thousands Displaced Amid Intensified Sudan Fighting

Fresh fighting in southeast Sudan is worsening civilian suffering. Over 136,000 people have fled their homes seeking safety, according to UN humanitarians.

Widespread Looting and Protection Risks

“People are facing multiple protection risks and have reported widespread looting of homes and personal possessions,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in a flash update issued late Thursday.

Humanitarian Response Efforts

Humanitarian partners are scaling up their response to meet the needs of displaced people from Sennar state. Before the recent escalation, Sennar, Sinja, and Ad Dinder localities were already hosting about 286,000 displaced individuals.

Repeated Displacement and Threats

The newly displaced from Sennar may have already been displaced at least once before. They now face numerous safety threats. Reports indicate widespread looting of their homes, vehicles, and personal belongings, allegedly by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) members. Local shops and markets have also been targeted, depriving civilians of essential resources and increasing insecurity.

Conflict Background

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF began in April last year. Tensions escalated related to the transition toward civilian governance.

Displacement and Arrival in Neighboring States

OCHA reported that those displaced in Sennar are arriving in neighboring states of Gedaref, Kassala, and Blue Nile. About 26,000 people, including 6,800 children, have reached Gedaref. They are gathering at a local market in desperate need of food, water, and shelter. An additional 1,000 people from Sennar have arrived at the reception center in Kassala state. Over 30,000 people have arrived in Blue Nile state, with most being hosted in school buildings already accommodating other displaced communities.

UN Humanitarian Assistance

UN humanitarian teams are responding to the influx. They are distributing ready-to-eat meals and drinking water to families. They also provide basic health services through a mobile clinic. A common kitchen is supporting about 15,000 people. However, despite the expanded response, more assistance is required to meet the increasing needs, according to OCHA.