Sudan conflict may force 800,000 people to flee

Over 800,000 people may flee Sudan as a result of the ongoing conflict. This includes Sudanese nationals and thousands of refugees already living temporarily in the country says the United Nations refugee agency.

Raouf Mazou, UNHCR assistant high commissioner for refugees, says the agency was planning for an evacuation of 815,000 people, including 580,000 Sudanese and foreign refugees living in the country. During a member-state briefing in Switzerland, Mazou said that 73,000 people have already fled Sudan:

In consultation with all concerned governments and partners, we’ve arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighbouring countries

Who are the conflicting parties?

The ongoing violence between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded.

The clashes are between the SAF, led by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The power struggle has unleashed a humanitarian disaster, where civilians fear for their lives.

The army chief and RSF head once shared control of the government following a 2021 coup, but fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.

While both sides agreed to extend a breached truce by 72 hours on Sunday, air strikes and artillery were heard on Monday. Smoke swirled over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.

Food and water is a scarcity

Millions of Sudanese are unable to afford the inflated prices needed to escape the battles. Instead, they seek shelter in their homes, forced to get by with dwindling food and water supplies, and suffer frequent power cuts.

The UN and other aid organisations have cut their services. The World Food Programme, however, says, it will resume operations in more secure areas, after staff were killed in the war.

Egypt authorities report that 40,000 Sudanese crossed its border. Those who survive the journey say conditions are harsh. Others have fled to South Sudan, Ethiopia or Chad, or sailed across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.

Media reports indicate that at least 528 people are dead, and 4,599 wounded. Some believe the death toll to be much higher.