Attachments
IOM calls on all parties to ensure the safety of humanitarians and allow their unrestricted access to be able to assist those most vulnerable. IOM’s Response Overview for the Sudan Crisis and Neighboring Countries contributes to addressing the humanitarian needs inside Sudan and the complexities of a mixed movements response that is inclusive of the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrant returnees, third country nationals (TCNs), host communities, refugees and Government entities responding to the crisis. IOM’s planned response was coordinated with Governments and humanitarian partners.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Leaders of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) reconfirmed their readiness to resume talks and identify solutions to the conflict, whilst continuing to set pre-conditions for negotiations. SAF continues to request RSF’s withdrawal from residential areas and medical facilities; RSF more recently, has claimed that the conflict could end if SAF leadership were removed. Meanwhile, fighting reportedly continued across several localities in Khartoum state (Khartoum, Bahri, Omdurman); as well as Darfur, North Kordofan, South Kordofan, West Kordofan and Aj Jazirah states.
In Khartoum, clashes are increasingly reported in proximity of SAF strategic locations and supply routes, namely military bases, whilst SAF allegedly continued to undertake air strikes against RSF positions. To note that SAF had previously warned that any vehicle using the highway connecting Khartoum to North Kordofan and Darfur would be considered a military target. Recent reports emerging from Khartoum, indicate an advancement of RSF around the Armoured Corps base in Khartoum and the issuance of a RSF warning to local communities to evacuate neighbouring areas to the armoured corps. Looting, occupation of and attacks on public institutions and private residences also continue to be reported across Khartoum. In Darfur, clashes also continued across four out of the five Darfur states. In Nyala (South Darfur), heavy fighting continued to be reported (DTM Flash Alert), whilst in Katila locality, RSF and militia forces allegedly attacked a SAF base. In El Fasher (North Darfur) fighting between RSF and SAF was also reported, as well as in Zalingei (Central Darfur). In Geneina (West Darfur) the situation remains volatile with reported clashes in Sirba, including looting, burning of marketplaces, displacements, and casualties. In a recent tweet, Governor of Darfur Minni Minawi stated that efforts to secure public roads, utilities and premises are being made by the joint forces. He called on government officials in Port Sudan to fulfil their obligations as well as on international and local organizations to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid and deal seriously with the joint forces. In North Kordofan, an airstrike was reported on the El-Obeid-Khartoum highway, whilst in Um Rawaba locality, local communities have taken a stronger stance against RSF; one RSF member was allegedly killed in clashes with local communities. In South Kordofan, clashes between SAF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North – Al Hilu (SPLM-N/AH) continue in and around Kadugli (DTM Flash Alert), in Dalami and Kudrng. Allegedly, women groups in Kadugli staged a vigil denouncing the conflict and violations against women on 30 July. In Kassala, the local government was accused of being closely affiliated to the National Congress Party (NCP) and the of the resignation of the governor was requested by community leaders. In a recent interview, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr (Acting Head and Force Commander for UNIFSA), stated that fighting in Sudan has had a destabilizing effect on Abyei PCA Box, over 6,000 people have fled into Abyei as a result of the conflict and all supply routes had to be changed to run through South Sudan, increasing operational costs and challenges.
During the two-day Forces of Freedom and Change – Central Council (FFC-CC) meeting held in Cairo on 24 and 25 July, the political coalition presented a political strategy to end the war and advocated for an inclusive political process and establishment of a ‘new Sudanese State.’ The Forces of Freedom of Change – Democratic Bloc also proposed a “Roadmap” to resolve the crisis which includes the formation of a caretaker government. On 27 July, the EU High Representative or Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell released a statement condemning attacks on civilians. In the same statement, the EU also confirmed hosting representatives of the Sudanese people in a forum where ideas on how to shape a peaceful and prosperous Sudan for the future were discussed.
The current total estimate of recently displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 3,020,517 individuals (603,918 households). The assessment has observed an IDP caseload in all of Sudan’s 18 states. The highest proportions of IDPs have been observed in River Nile (15.48%), Northern (11.95%), North Darfur (9.83%), and White Nile (9.01%) states. Field teams report that the IDPs observed were originally displaced from eight states. The majority (71.41%) have been reportedly displaced from Khartoum state; followed by North Darfur (9.32%), South Darfur (7.46%), West Darfur (6.01%), Central Darfur (4.87%), South Kordofan (0.51%), North Kordofan (0.41%), and Aj Jazirah (0.01%).
In addition to the internal displacement, the conflict in Sudan caused the Mixed Cross-Border Movements of 926,841 individuals into neighbouring countries, namely Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Ethiopia. 67% of arrivals tracked in those countries were Sudanese nationals and 33% estimated foreign nationals and returnees. Most arrivals were reported in Chad (40.7%), Egypt (27.6%), and South Sudan (21.6%).
The World Food Programme warns that over 19 million people, about 40% of the population, is at risk of slipping into the cycle of hunger. UNICEF notes that over 14 million children are in need of humanitarian support. The rainy season and upcoming risks associated with flooding are set to compound an already fragile situation. On 22 July 2023, heavy rains and floods affected Al Sobag village in Abu Karshola locality, South Kordofan where at least 33 households were displaced (DTM Flash Alert). An increase in inter-communal clashes has also been recorded, local sources attribute the increase in inter-tribal clashes to the conflict and recent population movements. On 24 July, over 100 individuals were displaced in El Tina (North Darfur) as a result of the clashes between two Zagawa clans (DTM Flash Alert) and over 600 individuals were displaced in Um Kadadah (North Darfur) (DTM Flash Alert). A third conflict was reported on 27 July in Kernoi locality, also North Darfur – however, no new displacements were recorded (DTM Flash Alert). While IOM and partners continue to scale up humanitarian interventions across Sudan and neighbouring countries, further displacements may be likely due to heavy rains, flooding, and inter-communal clashes. IOM continues to monitor the situation closely and expand its operational capacity across the country as needed.