Sudan Conflict and a Potential Refugee Crisis

May 02, 2023, 23:54 IST

Wion Web Desk

The casualties 

The armed conflict in Sudan has entered its third week. Since April 15, the fighting has claimed the lives of 528 people, while some 4,599 have been injured.

Homelessness: Hidden casualty

Hundreds of thousands of people have already been displaced within the country. A high number of Sudanese have crossed the borders to enter neighbouring nations.

UN estimates

It estimates that in the last 15 days, the fighting has led to more than 330,000 people getting displaced within the country. Over 100,000 people are estimated to have crossed into neighbouring countries.

A spike in numbers expected

The number of refugees is expected to rise. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that a total of 800,000 people could potentially flee to neighbouring nations.

What the UN said

UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado said: "over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees, South Sudanese returning home prematurely, and others who were themselves refugees in Sudan."

How significant are these numbers?

UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) spokesperson Paul Dillon revealed that the number of people displaced in the last two weeks has exceeded "all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022."

Help for refugees

As per the UN, its 2023 aid appeals for Sudan have fallen short by around $1.5 billion. "The $1.75 billion joint appeal for Sudan in 2023 is only 14% funded. In other words ... (it is) facing a funding gap of $1.5 billion," said UNHCR spokesperson Jens Laerke.

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