Sudan
It has been a month since renewed fighting broke out in Sudan. With no end to the violence in sight, people are desperately seeking safety and protection, both inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries.
Conflict in Sudan is forcing thousands of people from their homes. The current fighting has already displaced more than 840,000 people and almost 250,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Behind every number is a story of survival and resilience.
When fighting erupted in Sudan’s capital Khartoum, 25-year-old Arafa was at home alone with her two young children.
“I spent the night in fear, unable to go out of my house as people were being killed everywhere,” she said.
Panicked by the sounds of shooting and warplanes flying overhead, she tried calling her husband at work, only to learn from friends that he had been shot and killed.
With her husband gone, Arafa knew the only way to protect her children was to leave. Setting out by bus, she arrived in Madani, a city 135 kilometres southeast of Khartoum, where a local man offered to help them leave the country.
Together with five others, they were driven to Port Sudan, the country’s main eastern seaport. From there they walked for a whole day before finding transport towards the Egyptian border.
“I was scared, tired and without hope. The road was difficult, and the continued sound of gunfire was deafening. I did not think we would make it," said Arafa.
After crossing the border, they were dropped off in a square in Cairo. Unsure where to go, they spent the night on the street.
In the morning, a South Sudanese woman saw her and advised her to go the UNHCR office.
Arafa’s family is now registered with UNHCR and is living with the South Sudanese woman. However, while Arafa and her children have escaped the violence, their future feels far from secure.
“I can't believe I am here in Egypt now, but I am still afraid of everything,” she said. “I need help. I am afraid of the future. I lost my home, my husband, and my country in the blink of an eye. I don't want to lose my children too; I want them to be safe,” said Arafa
UNHCR and partners are working in Egypt, Chad and South Sudan to help families in need. Here is a snapshot of what is happening on the ground.
In Egypt, Arafa and her children are among more than 100,000 Sudanese that have crossed into Egypt since mid-April. UNHCR is working with the Egyptian Red Crescent and the authorities to meet the basic needs of those arriving.
In Chad, UNHCR’s emergency teams are meeting newly arrived refugees, and providing them with protection and life-saving support such as buckets, soap and jerry cans.
In South Sudan, UNHCR teams, with partners, are at border crossing points to monitor new arrivals – mainly South Sudanese refugees who are returning – and provide help. We are also helping families to establish contact with their relatives inside South Sudan so that they can be reunited.
35,000 South Sudanese refugees are in need of urgent assistance after flooding in a refugee camp in White Nile State.
BTS fan dreams of a return to normality in Sudan
The majority of funds raised by Australia for UNHCR are directed to UNHCR’s emergency operations, providing the ready funds and resources to respond quickly and effectively in situations of crisis and disaster.