Highlights
▪ The fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has intensified across several regions, including Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, Gedaref, West Darfur, and North Darfur, with no progress in ceasefire negotiations. The humanitarian consequences have been devastating, with more than 21 million people in Sudan experiencing severe food insecurity. Since April 2023, 11.3 million people have been forcibly displaced, including 2.9 million who have fled to neighboring countries.
▪ On 15 October in Geneva, a side event on the Sudan Regional Refugee Crisis was held during UNHCR’s annual Executive Committee meeting. The event highlighted the vital role of development actors in strengthening the response to this crisis. It underscored the necessity of implementing development interventions at the outset to complement the urgent need for immediate lifesaving support for people fleeing Sudan. UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator described the Sudan situation as a protection crisis, humanitarian emergency, and development catastrophe that is impeding regional development and threatening instability. He stressed the importance of changing how the international community responds to emergencies, emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and self-reliance. The event concluded by thanking host countries for keeping borders open and urging donor countries to increase funding for the Sudan RRP and integrate refugee hosting areas into broader development programmes. The video shown at the event can be accessed here.
▪ On 20 October, the border between Gallabat, Sudan, and Metema, Ethiopia, reopened after a closure of over two weeks due the escalation of conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. In line with its contingency plan, UNHCR assessed a proposed new site in Gala’a al Nahal, the reception center in Basinga near the Taya border.
▪ As intense fighting continues in North and West Darfur, particularly around border areas adjacent to the Wadi Fira province in Chad, an increasing number of individuals are fleeing to Chad. 4,123 new arrivals were reported this week. UNHCR and its partners have amplified their preparedness initiatives. UNHCR anticipated a significant rise in refugee numbers and is currently building shelters and water facilities in Chad to accommodate the incoming population.
▪ The recently published Mid-Year Trends Report 2024 indicated that Egypt received the second highest number of new asylum applications globally in the first half of the year. With more than 209,000 applications, Egypt was positioned just behind the United States and ahead of Germany.