Over 1 Million Sudanese Refugees Flee to South Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict

Over 1 Million Sudanese Refugees Flee to South Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict

The United Nations has reported that more than one million people have fled the ongoing conflict in Sudan, seeking refuge in neighbouring South Sudan. This marks a grim milestone in one of the world’s most severe displacement crises.

The UN’s latest update, issued on Tuesday, revealed that over 770,000 refugees crossed into South Sudan through the Joda crossing on the northern border since April 2023, when the war between Sudan’s paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) began. Additionally, tens of thousands of others have fled across various other border points, bringing the total number of displaced individuals to over one million.

UNHCR official Sanaa Abdalla Omer highlighted the scale of the crisis, stating that the arrival of over a million refugees into South Sudan is “a stark and sobering statistic.” She emphasized that most of those fleeing are South Sudanese nationals who had previously sought refuge in Sudan during South Sudan’s own civil war.

Despite the generosity of the South Sudanese people, who continue to offer support, Omer warned that the country could not bear the burden alone. South Sudan’s resources, including healthcare, shelter, and water, are under severe strain, with two transit centers in Renk County—intended for 5,000 people—currently hosting over 16,000 refugees.

The UN has called for increased international support to address both the immediate needs of displaced persons and the growing demands on host communities in South Sudan.

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