Sudan - Conflict, update (DG ECHO, UN OCHA, IOM) (ECHO Daily Flash of 19 December 2023)

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized Wad Madani, the country’s second city. Shops and markets remain closed. The local authorities announced a state of emergency and introduced a curfew in Al Jazirah, Gedaref, Northern, Sennar and White Nile states. RSF are now likely to move East toward Sennar, Gedaref and White Nile states.

According to IOM Displacement Tracking Matric (DTM), approximately 14,000 – 15,000 people have been displaced from Medani locality. Affected residents have sought refuge in Aj Jazirah, and towards Sennar and Gedaref states. About 4,500 people have also been displaced within inside Gedaref state. Displacement numbers are likely to grow as Al Jazirah state hosts about 500,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) since the start of the conflict.

Wad Medani has served as a key hub for humanitarian operations since fighting broke out in April. This includes warehousing of large stocks of supplies dedicated to response in the state and when access is possible to the capital, Khartoum. Humanitarian organisations have evacuated their staff due to the security situation.