Sudan: Number of refugees rises as war continues to cause displacement

South Sudan now ranks second among countries receiving people fleeing Sudan, with more than 810,000 new arrivals since April 2023, including returning South Sudanese refugees who had sought refuge in Sudan and refugees and asylum seekers from other countries.

The UNHCR warned that the situation was likely to worsen, compounding the already dire humanitarian challenges in the country.

“The conflict in Sudan is hitting South Sudan harder than any other country in the region. and this adds to the immense challenges facing the nation,” said Marie-Hélène Verney, UNHCR Representative in South Sudan.

“UNHCR and other humanitarian actors have been at the forefront of the humanitarian response and are now calling on other actors to join efforts to help South Sudan integrate the hundreds of thousands of people who have arrived.

Growing needs in a context of economic tensions

More than half of South Sudan’s refugees are currently hosted in the Maban region, with a further 135,000 in the Ruweng administrative area. Increasing numbers of refugees are also settling in urban areas, presenting both opportunities and challenges for their integration into local economies and communities.

The conflict in Sudan has also severely disrupted South Sudan’s supply routes and oil exports, fueling inflation and straining an already fragile economy. Prices of essential goods, particularly food, have soared, further limiting the resources of host communities and complicating integration efforts for new arrivals.

In response, UNHCR, alongside national authorities and partners, continues to provide essential support to refugees and the communities hosting them.

Efforts include addressing immediate needs such as water, shelter and medical care, as well as advocating for long-term solutions such as access to identity documents, livelihood opportunities and integration into national health and education systems.

However, ending the fighting in Sudan remains essential for long-term success.

“It is clear, however, that the only solution is an end to the conflict in Sudan.. South Sudan is in shock and cannot continue to absorb so much suffering,” Ms Verney said.

Call for global support

UNHCR has highlighted the need for additional funding to support and protect vulnerable refugees.

“While funding for South Sudan remains generous, the resources needed to fully meet the needs of the population are still very low,” the statement said.

With less than three months until the end of 2024, its operations in South Sudan are only 47 percent funded, the agency said, calling for increased donor support to meet the growing needs of refugees and communities reception.

Deadly clashes in Central Equatoria State

Separately, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has expressed concern over a series of violent clashes between armed actors in the greater Juba region of Central Equatoria State, during which at At least 24 people were killed, including 19 civilians.

The incidents reportedly involved attacks and counter-attacks between former members of the National Salvation Front (NAS) and occurred in the Wonduruba and Ganji areas.

“I am deeply concerned by these brutal acts and urgently call on the Government of South Sudan to carry out an immediate investigation to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country and head of UNMISS.

He stressed that the protection of civilians must remain paramount and respected at all times.

“There is no justification for extrajudicial executions of civilians. International human rights law establishes clear rules, and all parties must respect them,” he added.

In response to the violence, UNMISS has intensified its patrols throughout Central Equatoria and is actively working with provincial and local authorities, as well as community leaders, to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of civilians.