The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over reports that civilians in Sudan, including internally displaced persons and refugees, have become victims of the ongoing fighting in the country. The UNHCR calls on all parties in Sudan to ensure the safety of civilians.
In a statement, the UNHCR confirmed that 28 refugees hosted by Sudan were killed in Khartoum on June 25 when the fighting engulfed the area where they were residing. Several other refugees were injured in the incident.
The UNHCR expressed shock and extended condolences to the affected families, stating that they are working to trace relatives and provide psychosocial and other forms of support.
The statement highlighted that despite countless appeals to all parties to protect non-combatants, innocent civilians, including refugees, are forced to flee the fighting under extremely dangerous conditions. They face harassment, violations, theft, and other criminal acts.
The UNHCR also noted unconfirmed reports from West Darfur indicating that people are being prevented from leaving the city of Geneina in search of safety, as well as crossing the border into Chad. It emphasized that “these incidents are unacceptable and underscore the immense challenges faced by civilians seeking security and safety away from conflict areas.”
The UNHCR continues to monitor the situation of stranded refugees in Khartoum and provides protection consultations through hotlines. Efforts are being made to assist them in seeking safety and finding ways to transition from conflict-affected areas when conditions allow.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan over the past nine weeks has resulted in the displacement and refuge of over 2.5 million people. Prior to this crisis, Sudan hosted 1.1 million refugees, predominantly from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Syria.
