Sudan: Clashes between SAF and RSF - Flash Update No. 10 (6 May 2023) [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have lasted for 22 consecutive days, despite the newly announced ceasefires.
• The World Health Organization has verified 28 attacks on health care in Sudan.
• Humanitarian organizations are working to expand operations, with food distributions restarting in eastern Sudan and response underway in many other areas.
• During a visit to Port Sudan on 3 May, the UN UnderSecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, called for parties to the conflict to commit to the safety of humanitarian personnel, assets and premises and enabling humanitarian access.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Heavy fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) entered the third week on 6 May, lasting for 22 consecutive days, especially in Khartoum, despite the new seven-day ceasefire announced from 4 to 11 May, and a 72-hour ceasefire announced on 5 May. Fighting also resumed in Al Obeid, North Kordofan, on 4 May.

At least 550 people have been killed and over 4,900 injured since the fighting began, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH) as of 1 May. This includes at least 190 children killed and another 1,700 injured in 11 days, between 15 and 25 April, according to UNICEF.

Violence in Ag Geneina, West Darfur, since 24 April has resulted in the loss of at least 191 lives, including a Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) community volunteer. Humanitarian organizations’ facilities were looted and all hospitals and pharmacies are closed. Dozens of settlements have been burnt and destroyed, and thousands of people have been displaced, who are now desperately looking for safety and gathering in the remaining sites, which are already overcrowded. In several other parts of Darfur there are reports of schools and hospitals being occupied, looted or attacked by armed actors.

Meanwhile, in Al Fasher, North Darfur, following the implementation of a local ceasefire, two hospitals are reportedly functioning and some health centres and markets within the town have reopened. However, traders are cautious due to the fragile security situation and schools and banks are still closed.

Access to health care continues to be severely impacted by the conflict. The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 28 attacks against health care since the fighting began, leading to 8 deaths and 18 injuries among health care personnel. Seventeen of these attacks have affected health-care facilities, including laboratories. The types of attacks include looting, obstruction of access to health care, violent attacks using weapons, and the forced occupation of facilities. Six ambulances and 19 hospitals have been damaged, 19 hospitals evacuated, and 61 others put out of service in Khartoum, according to the Sudanese Doctors’ Trade Union as of 30 April.

Over 334,000 people are estimated to have now been internally displaced, 72 per cent of whom are in West and South Darfur states, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Before the crisis, Sudan already had 3.7 million displaced people in the country. In addition, more than 123,000 people have crossed into neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR.

There are rising concerns about the safety of children, as families are being separated due to the hefty fees to use buses and trucks to flee areas affected by conflict. Plan International is concerned that the high cost will increase risks of exploitation and abuse of children, girls, and women.

As rural areas enter the hunger gap period, the number of acutely food insecure people in Sudan is expected to increase by 2 million to 2.5 million in the next 3 to 6 months, if the conflict continues, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). The highest increase in food insecurity is expected in West Darfur, West Kordofan, Blue Nile, Red Sea and North Darfur.