THE ONGOING FIGHTING IN SUDAN WORSENS HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DARFUR REGION

It is over a month now since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)started. The ongoing fighting has killed hundreds of people, forced more than 218,000 to flee across borders and displaced over 730,000 people inside the country by the first four weeks of the conflict. The fighting has caused tremendous human suffering and exacerbated significant pre-existing humanitarian needs amongst the civilian population in Sudan. As of 13 May, the Federal Ministry of Health reports that at least 700 people have been killed and over 5,200 injured since the onset of the fighting. The number of casualties is likely to be higher, as many individuals were reportedly unable to reach hospitals due to movement constraints. Several cities continue to faced heavy bombardments and clashes, and associated unexploded ordnance, causing hundreds of civilian deaths and casualties, as well as damage to critical water, health care and power infrastructure. The fighting that started in Khartoum, the Capital City of Sudan ignited violence in Darfur Region (West Darfur, South Darfur and North Darfur). It also has spread to South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Kassala and the Red Sea.

The ongoing fighting has worsened humanitarian situation in Darfur region that has been under Humanitarian Assistance for over 20 years. The number of displaced persons has sharply increased as Darfur is serving as exit route for civilians fleeing to neighboring Republic of Chad. The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), a system to track and monitor displacement and population mobility, estimated that up to 11,675 people are currently displaced in North Darfur alone representing 2,335 households. This number is expected to increase. The affected people are faced with shortage of essential basic facilities of life such as water, shelter, clothing, medical services, sanitation, food among others. Most of the displaced people who left their areas lost most of their sources of livelihood, they feel insecure and majority have nowhere to begin from in their current settlement areas of displacement.

Despite the situation, The Humanity for Development & Prosperity Organization (HDPO) has continued to serve the people in need. With Support from the people of United States on America through USAID extended through the UN IOM, HDPO is starting a new four-month (1-June-2023 to 30-September-2023) Rapid Response intervention to address the immediate needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities in North Darfur State. This project will provide lifesaving services in the sectors of Protection, Water and Sanitation (WASH) and Health through providing mobile clinic services in areas with acute health service needs. Without the support from the people of America, this would not be possible. Thank you!