The war in Sudan is driving continued refugee flight, leading to a deepening humanitarian crisis in the greater region, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported Nov. 8. The agency said that more than 3 million people have fled Sudan, seeking safety in neighboring countries, since the war began in April 2023. The refugees are faced with challenges of food shortages and continued rights violations such as killings, sexual violence and looting, as well as natural disasters such as flooding.

In October, around 60,000 Sudanese escaping the escalated fighting in Darfur arrived in Chad, which is facing a resource shortage due to its increasing refugee population, now at over 1.1 million. The refugees there face an overwhelmed healthcare system, scarce food, and no education for their children who have already been out of school for two years.

Another country that has been impacted is Egypt, now host of 1.2 million new Sudanese refugees. UNHCR found that Egypt has gone above and beyond its means to provide safety for people who flee, education for their children, and the right to work and start new businesses.

The agency also commended the efforts by Ethiopia, Uganda, the Central African Republic and Libya in supporting the displaced Sudanese. It reported that Ethiopia is setting up integrated settlements with the help of donors, bolstering the existing social services for Sudanese refugees and their hosts. Uganda is providing new refugees with documentation so they can use their education and skills to boost local economies. Sudanese refugees have been allocated arable land for them to cultivate in the Central African Republic. Lastly, local communities in Libya, including pre-existing Sudanese in the country, have shown solidarity and support to arriving Sudanese refugees.

As the war continues, the agency has issued a call to address one of the largest emergencies in the world, citing the danger to social cohesion and stability in the region.

From Jurist, Nov. 9. Used with permission.