The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who on Wednesday concluded his second visit to Sudan since the outbreak of war last year, warned that without concerted peace efforts, many more people will flee the brutal war in Sudan and into neighboring countries.
According to the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq who was briefing the press on Wednesday, Grandi visited refugee camps and displacement centers in Kosti, in Sudan’s White Nile State, where over a million people have sought shelter since the fighting started.
“He noted that the level of suffering is truly unconscionable, adding that Sudan is the definition of a perfect storm: shocking human rights atrocities, with millions uprooted by this insane war and other wars that came before it,” Haq said of Grandi’s assessment of the situation on the ground.
He said the UNHCR Chief warned that a terrible famine is looming, and severe floods will soon hamper aid deliveries even more.
“He expressed deep alarm at the scale of the humanitarian emergency. Violence has escalated in El Fasher, North Darfur, and atrocities have been reported against civilians in Al Jazira State,” Haq stated. “The UN Refugee Agency and partners have scaled up response efforts in White Nile and other areas. Since the start of the conflict, UNHCR has reached some 800,000 displaced Sudanese with protection assistance, services and referrals, cash, core relief items, and emergency shelter.”