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 move-ments 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
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has extended to new geographical areas, including El Fula in West Kordofan and Al Jazirah state, in the proximity of Wad Madani town, Aj Jazirah state is now hosting approximately 241,517 IDPs, 6.71% of the total number of IDPs recorded in Sudan – and of which 99.82% were displaced from Khartoum. As the conflict continues, the risk of armed groups, tribal leaders or stakeholders pledging their support for one or the other warring parties also increases. Most recently, the leader of the Third Front Tamazuj announced the movement’s alignment to the RSF, while the Sultan of the Massalit pledged its support to SAF. Reports also allege to the integration of new entrants into both SAF and RSF.
Following last week’s meeting among the signatories to the Political Framework Agreement (PFA), a communiqué was released in which participants outlined a vision to end the war and establish a 'new Sudanese State’, emphasizing the need for an inclusive political process where political and civilian groups could come together with the exception of the dissolved National Congress Party (NCP). In the same line, Transitional Sovereignty Council Deputy Chairman, Malik Agar, proposed a roadmap to end the war – which includes security arrangements and an inclusive political process. In response, RSF representatives allegedly rejected the initiative whilst reiterating their commitment to the Jeddah process.
Fighting continues in Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman with shooting, artillery fire and air strikes reported in various areas of the city, whilst RSF and SAF continue to claim respective victories on one another. Airstrikes were also reported in Al Jazirah State in areas bordering Khartoum States with growing fears of the conflict expanding further into the state, not only putting at risk IDPs and residents of displacement, for many secondary, but also impacting ongoing humanitarian responses.
Over the last week, fighting was reported across all three Kordofan states for the first time – in El Obeid (North Kordofan), Kadugli (South Kordofan) and El Fula (West Kordofan). In South Kordofan, fighting between SAF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North/Al Hilu (SPLM/N-AL) was reported in and around Kadugli (DTM Flash Alert) causing the displacement of 7,039 households, Dalami town and close to Abu Jubaiha town. The situation in the state remains tense. In Blue Nile State, fighting was reported around Kurmuk following the SAF’s continued advance. In view of the escalating situation in South and West Kordofan, UNITMAS has released a statement calling on military actors to refrain from further armed conflict and ensure the protection of civilians.
During the reporting period, fighting between SAF and RSF escalated across several parts of Darfur, especially around Nyala (South Darfur) and EL Fasher (North Darfur). In El Fasher, DTM reports the displacement of at least 100 households seeking shelter in the south of El Fasher town. In Nyala, DTM reports at least 10,000 newly displaced households, 60 casualties and 250 injuries as a result of the clashes between RSF and SAF between 11 and 17 August. SAF released a statement confirming the death of Yassir Fadal Allah, commander of the 16 th Infantry Division, in Nyala. On 17 August, the United States released a press statement calling on SAF and RSF to cease renewed fighting in Nyala and comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, especially regarding the protection of civilians. Differently to previous statements, the Joint Forces of the Darfur armed movements (and signatories to the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA)), have more recently acknowledged their limited capacity to deploy forces to protect civilians in Darfur.
The current total estimate of recently displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 3,601,593 Individuals (719,521 Households). The current assessment has observed the IDP caseload in all of Sudan’s 18 states. The highest proportions of IDPs have been observed in River Nile (14.17%), East Darfur (10.62%), Northern (10.08%), Sennar (7.97%), and White Nile (7.86%). Field teams report that the IDPs observed were originally displaced from eight states. The majority (2,729,777 IDPs, 75.79%) have been reportedly displaced from Khartoum state; followed by North Darfur (7.75%), South Darfur (7.12%), Central Darfur (4.09%), West Darfur (3.40%), South Kordofan (1.37%), North Kordofan (0.47%), Aj Jazirah (0.01%).
In addition to the internal displacement, the conflict in Sudan has caused the Mixed Cross-Border Movements of 1,040,883 individuals into neighbouring countries with 426,655 new arriavls recorded in Chad, 285,300 in Egypt, 231,070 in South Sudan, 76,330 in Ethiopia, 17,820 in the Central African Republic and 3,708 in Libya. 68% of arrivals tracked in those countries were Sudanese nationals and 32% estimated foreign nationals and returnees. The majority of arrivals were reported in Chad (41%), Egypt (27.4%), and South Sudan (22.2%).
The crisis in Sudan goes well beyond the humanitarian sphere and the response presents an extraordinary level of complexity with regards to access, safety, security, and conflict sensitivity. Since the onset of violence in April, Sudan has become one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places for humanitarians to work, with 19 aid workers killed in 17 attacks in 2023. Over 24.7 million people, roughly half of the population in Sudan, are in need of humanitarian aid and protection. IOM continues to work closely with partners across the various workstreams and is actively engaged in the access working group and in the establishment of humanitarian hubs and cross-border operations. Urgent funding is needed in Sudan and neighboring countries to meet the increasing needs, to support those unable to flee from areas where active conflict continues, those who have been displaced in Sudan and those crossing into neighboring countries, including returnees and migrants in urgent need of onward transportation and relocation assistance.