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 movements 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
A solution to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has yet to be negotiated after four four months of conflict. UN principals call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and share three messages to the people of Sudan, the parties to the conflict and the international community.
In a televised speech on 14 August, the SAF leader, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, accused the RSF of violations and crimes against civilians under the false promise of democracy. Last week, the SAF also established a Committee for War Crimes and Violations and Practices for the RSF to investigate crimes committed by the RSF. More recently, the RSF announced the establishment of a new body called the Sudan Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations responsible for coordinating relief and humanitarian operations in RSF-controlled territories. Meanwhile, RSF’s account on one of the social media platforms has been suspended. Some Sudanese political parties have issued statements rejecting the war and positioning themselves as neutral. Reports emerging from Eastern Sudan and Blue Nile, allege ongoing SAF recruitments in training camps. In Wad Madani, the No to Women’s Oppression initiative was prevented from organizing a gathering calling for an end to the war.
Following last week’s first meeting of the ministerial mechanisms in N’Djamena, Chad, to which Ministers of neighbouring countries to Sudan – Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic, participated, a communiqué was released noting ongoing coordinated efforts and devised plan for lasting peace and dialogues in Sudan. On 11 August, Lieutenant General Yasser Al-Atta, reiterated that SAF would only re-enter the Jeddah talks once the RSF had withdrawn from occupied homes and government institutions. On 9 August, the UN Security Council held its 9394th meeting on Sudan and South Sudan. During the meeting, council members raised concerns regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis, crimes committed against civilians, and heightened risks of regional spillovers, as well as expressed support for ongoing regional initiatives. Meanwhile, the signatories to the Framework Agreement met in Addis Ababa on 13 August to agree on a unified civilian vision to end the war in Sudan.
Fighting continues to be reported in and around strategic locations in Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri. Last week, heavy fighting was reported in Omdurman, while reports of fighting around the Armoured Corps and near the SAF HQ in Khartoum continued.
In North Kordofan, SAF attacks on RSF positions in and around El Obeid were reported, as well as in the localities of Soudary and Um Rawaba. In Blue Nile State, fighting continued in Kurmuk between SAF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North-Al Hilu (SPLM-N/AH). Reports described recent operational successes by the SAF; however, their movement continued to be hampered by heavy and continuous rains. In South Kordofan, heavy clashes were reported in Dalami between SPLM-N/AH and SAF.
In Darfur, heavy fighting between the RSF and SAF has been reported in Nyala as the situation remains tense – DTM reports over 4,000 new displacements in Nyala town as a result of the fighting. DTM also reports at least 80 casualties as a result of inter-tribal violence between the Beni Halba and Salamat Arab tribes in Kubbum town, Kubum locality, allegedly prompting further mobilizations by both sides. In Zalingei (Central Darfur) fighting between SAF and RSF continued after SAF regained some control resulting in the displacement of civilians. In North Darfur, DTM reported 5 fatalities as a result of inter-communal clashes in Um Kadadah locality on 5 August. Local sources, however, allegedly described an improving security environment and the resumption of farming activities in Tawila following the deployment of the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW). Although not verified, SLA/AW’s presence in Tawila may be indicative of the joint forces taking on a bigger protection role in Darfur in view of the security vacuum. Clashes between the RSF and SLA/AW were also reported in Kass, South Darfur. The current total estimate of recently displaced individuals across Sudan has reached 3,433,025 individuals (685,657 Households).
The current DTM assessment has observed the IDP caseload in all of Sudan’s 18 states. The highest proportions of IDPs have been observed in River Nile (14.59%), Northern (10.55%), Sennar (8.22%), White Nile (8.15%), and North Darfur (8.01%). Field teams report that the IDPs observed were originally displaced from eight states. The majority (2,553,817 IDPs, 74.39%) have been reportedly displaced from Khartoum state; followed by North Darfur (8.10%), South Darfur (7.43%), West Darfur (4.80%), Central Darfur (4.28%), North Kordofan (0.51%), South Kordofan (0.48%), and Aj Jazirah (0.01%).
In addition to the internal displacement, the conflict in Sudan has caused the mixed cross-border movements of 1,017,449 individuals into neighbouring countries namely Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. 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 (40.8%), Egypt (28%), and South Sudan (21.6%).
Heavy rains between 4 and 5 August in Zamzam IDP Camp, El Fasher locality, North Darfur, led to the destruction and partial destruction of at least 1,414 houses and 830 latrines. Those displaced are seeking shelters with relatives and neighbors (DTM Flash Alert). OCHA reported that to date, over 13,500 people have been affected by the heavy rains and flooding, with North Darfur, Northern State, and White Nile State being the most severely affected. Electricity cuts across the country are also increasing in frequency and length, with Port Sudan witnessing power outages for over 8 hours. As such, these challenges compound the already severe humanitarian situation in Sudan and neighbouring countries and reinforce the need for flexible funding to sustainably respond to the multidimensional needs of affected populations.
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