New York: Khartoum: Europe and the Arabs
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan has called for the need for all civilians - including refugees and others trying to flee conflict zones - to be allowed to do so safely, unhindered and under the protection of parties to the conflict. According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy on Thursday morning, it also stated that after sixteen weeks of conflict in Sudan, more than 4 million people have been displaced inside the country and across the borders to neighboring countries, as more than 71 percent of them fled from Khartoum State. Among the more than 3 million displaced people in Sudan, according to the international organization
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Ms. Clementine Nkweta Salami said that civilians - including refugees - continue to be subjected to horrific violations four months after the escalating conflict in Sudan.
She described the killing and targeting of the most vulnerable people held hostage by this ongoing war as "unacceptable," stressing that it must stop immediately.
Multiple risks facing refugees
She noted that many trapped by the fighting were unable - and in some cases effectively prevented - from seeking safety elsewhere. As for those who can escape, they face other dangers: "They are vulnerable to abuse, theft and harassment during their journeys to safer areas."
The UN coordinator said that during the past week she met with Eritrean refugees who were living in the capital, Khartoum, until fighting forced them to leave for Wad Sherifi settlement in Kassala state. "They spoke of the dangers involved in leaving the capital and their fears of being harassed while passing."
And she stressed the need for all those fleeing the fighting in Sudan to be able to do so safely. “The Sudanese people, as well as the refugees in the country, have the right to seek safety in Sudan or neighboring countries.
It called on all parties to ensure that this fundamental right is upheld.
The UN coordinator described the killing of 28 refugees during the violent clashes that took place in Khartoum on June 25 as "another stark reminder of the horrors faced by refugee communities."
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, continues to assist refugees stranded in the Sudanese capital by providing protection advice via hotlines and trying to find ways to transport them safely whenever possible.
However, Ms. Clementine Nkweta Salami said that providing access to these services is very difficult, and the needs are increasing day by day, as she put it.
Preventing people in Darfur from crossing into Chad
The Humanitarian Coordinator reported receiving reports that some civilians who tried to flee the violent clashes in Sirba, West Darfur, on 26 July were prevented from crossing the border into Chad.
UNHCR has also recorded a number of cases in which refugees trying to flee the fighting in Sudan, in particular to return to their homeland in the Republic of South Sudan, encountered difficulties along the way.
The Humanitarian Coordinator called on the parties to the conflict in Sudan to ensure safe passage for civilians fleeing violence in Khartoum, Darfur and other areas of active fighting.
This is what was agreed upon in Jeddah on May 11 by the signatories of the Declaration of Commitment to Protect Civilians in Sudan, she said, "and the parties must fulfill their obligations to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law."
to emigrate. Before this crisis, there were 1.1 million refugees in Sudan, mostly from the Republic of South Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.