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 urges all parties to cease hostilities and joins the UN Secretary General in appealing for the restoration of calm and dialogue to resolve the crisis and enable humanitarian aid.
SITUATION OVERVIEW
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues into its second month – a week-long ceasefire was agreed by the two parties starting the evening of 22 May, its adherence remains uncertain. Up to the start of the ceasefire, heavy gunfire and air strikes continued in Khartoum, Bahri, Omdurman, while the situation remained tense and volatile in South Darfur (Nyala), Central Darfur (Zalingei), North Darfur (El Fasher) and North Kordofan (El Obeid). In West Darfur (El Geneina), the situation is precarious after heavy clashes between Arabs and Massalit (12 – 16 May). OCHA reported that following the violence all 86 IDP gathering sites in El Geneina were burnt to the ground, forcing over 85,000 people into secondary displacement in neighborhoods in the northern parts of the state capital. South Kordofan, in the meantime, saw a high number of arrivals while in Blue Nile the state of emergency was extended by the governor.
The humanitarian community in Sudan and partners are receiving increasing reports of gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence cases, particularly from IDPs fleeing from one state to another. An increasing number of women and girls are exposed to heightened risks of GBV, sexual exploitation and abuse as they are on the move, fleeing the violence and are denied basic needs. Prices across the country continue to increase, especially for transportation as fuel prices increase, whilst basic services and commodities, including bank services remain limited.
In a joint press statement released on 20 May, the two parties agreed to a seven-day ceasefire, renewing their commitment to the Jeddah Declaration, humanitarian arrangements, restoration of essential services, the withdrawal of forces from hospitals and clinics, the respectful burial of the dead and creation of a Monitoring and Coordination Committee (which sees the US and Saudi Arabia involved). The “step by step” approach agreed by both parties is set to continue and work towards a permanent cessation of hostilities. Deep concerns over the impact of the Sudan Crisis on the security, safety and stability for the Arab region were also expressed during the 32nd Arab League Summit by the League of Arab States– stating to avoid any external interference in Sudan's affairs that would fuel conflict and threaten regional peace and security.
Over 1,361,308 million people have been newly displaced, including 1,042,114 displaced internally and 319,194 who have fled to neighboring countries. The highest figures of displacement have been reported in West Darfur (23.86%), White Nile (19.65%), River Nile (15.64%) and Northern States (13.93%).
An increase of Third-Country-Nationals (TCNs), mainly Eritreans, travelling through Abyei have been reported by IOM. On 22 May, IOM registered 36 new arrivals, most of whom were Eritreans, travelling from Khartoum, through Abyei with the intention of reaching Amiet Market (southern part of Abyei) to establish small businesses.
To date, IOM, UNHCR and government sources indicate that 319,194 people have arrived in neighboring countries: at least 80,000 people have arrived in neighboring Chad, 69,112 people in South Sudan, 132,364 people in Egypt, 26,818 people in Ethiopia, 9,823 people in the Central African Republic and 1,077 people in Libya since the start of the conflict.
On 22nd of May a donor briefing on IOM’s Response Overview for the Sudan Crisis and Neighboring Countries was held in Geneva which saw the participation of DG, DDG, RD, COM and Permanent Representative of Sudan in Geneva. During the donor briefing an update of the on-going response in Sudan and across the region was provided, including in country coordination mechanisms and plans to strengthen partnerships in Sudan. Whilst IOM is scaling up its operational capacity through the establishment of a new warehouse in Port Sudan and response through the offices in Port Sudan, Gedaref, Kassala and Al Jazirah, secure access to the targeted locations remains to be seen following the signing of the agreement and establishment of humanitarian corridors.