Khartoum
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than three million people, nearly half of whom are children, have been displaced from their homes since violence in Sudan continued in April. OCHA and UNICEF reported that about 1.5 million children are living away from their homes, although some are still in Sudan, Xinhua news agency reported. The report said that one in two children in Sudan, ie about 13.6 million, need urgent humanitarian assistance.
OCHA said that since the start of the conflict, UNICEF has provided health supplies to more than 3 million children and women, as well as safe drinking water to nearly 1.4 million people. It added that around 100,000 children attend safe learning places, including solar-powered centres. The office further noted that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that more than 2.4 million people have been displaced across all 18 Sudanese states.
About three-quarters of the displaced originally left from the capital, Khartoum. The UN refugee agency reported that more than 650,000 people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries because of the fighting in Sudan, according to OCHA. The IOM said in an update that more than 64,000 people from Sudan arrived in Ethiopia earlier this week from the country’s Amhara, Benishangul Gumz and Gambela regions. Amid the growing number of people entering Ethiopia, the IOM said heavy rains have affected personnel. Is having trouble getting aid to the areas.
The IOM said it has increased its presence at border crossing points and in Metema. Where visitors are provided with multi-sectoral support including health, water, sanitation, mental health, psychosocial support, transportation as well as security support. The fighting started in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on 15 April and later spread to different parts of the country. Deep differences emerged between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), particularly over integration into the army. About 3,000 to 5,000 people have been killed in this battle so far. And more than 8,000 others have been injured.
