Reported by: Youth in Action Organization
Conflict Background:
The 15
April conflict in Sudan has been ongoing for several months, but the escalation
in West Kordufan has been particularly intense since the outbreak in the area
between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
West Kordufan, which is area of the oil and shares borders with South Sudan,
has been one of the regions most impacted by violence.
Sudanese
Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF):
SAF controls key government positions and is primarily
composed of the national army. SAF forces have engaged in numerous military
operations to try to recapture territories held by the RSF.
RSF, a paramilitary group with significant influence
in Sudan, has fought against SAF for control over strategic areas. The RSF’s
presence is especially notable in West Kordufan due to their power in rural
regions and their alliances with local tribes.
- Humanitarian Impact:
The violence between SAF and RSF has caused widespread
displacement in the region, with civilians fleeing their homes in fear of
airstrikes, ground fighting, and attacks by both armed factions.
Humanitarian organizations have reported severe
challenges in delivering aid due to both sides’ restrictions on access and the
destruction of infrastructure.
Displacement and IDPs:
West Kordufan has been a major site of displacement,
with people fleeing into nearby areas, including to Darfur and South Kordufan.
IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) are scattered across several regions,
including inside the region:
- Al Mugaled, Al Nuhod, Khebish, Abiay and many
other villages in West Kordufan:
Many IDPs from Babanousa, El Fula and Al Mairam have
sought shelter in the mentioned areas due to its proximity. However, the
situation is fragile here, as the conflict risks spilling over into these
neighboring areas.
- North Kordufan:
North Kordufan also witnessed number of IDPs camps
from West Kordufan such as Babanousa which is by now out of citizen living in
very bad humanitarian condition
- South Darfur:
IDPs have also fled to South Darfur, as it has
historically been a region with large refugee camps. However, the security
situation there remains tense, especially in urban areas, making it difficult
for the displaced to find safety and basic services.
- Remote rural areas:
IDPs are often forced to seek refuge in remote and
difficult-to-reach rural areas within West Kordufan such as Abiay. These
regions suffer from limited infrastructure, making it challenging for aid
organizations to provide necessary relief.
- South Sudan:
Some IDPs have crossed into South Sudan to escape the
fighting, but this route is dangerous due to insecurity and the difficult
terrain. Refugees in South Sudan face their own humanitarian crises, as the
country struggles with its internal issues, including its own displaced
populations.
Key Humanitarian Issues:
- Access to Food and Water:
As fighting continues, many civilians face severe
shortages of food and clean water. Humanitarian assistance is often delayed or
blocked, leading to malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and overall humanitarian
suffering.
- Healthcare:
Healthcare services are stretched tinny in West
Kordufan. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed or repurposed as shelters,
and medical supplies are scarce. The health of IDPs is particularly at risk due
to overcrowded conditions in makeshift shelters and inadequate sanitation.
- Safety and Protection:
Women, children, and the elderly are particularly
vulnerable to violence, including sexual violence and recruitment by armed
groups. Human rights abuses, including killings and forced recruitment into the
military, have been reported widely.
- Disruption of Education:
Schools have been shut down or destroyed, further
exacerbating the challenges for children in the region. Many children have been
deprived of education due to displacement or destruction of schools.
- Aid Blockades and Security Issues:
Both SAF and RSF have restricted access to
humanitarian aid in some areas, complicating relief efforts. The unstable
security situation means that aid workers often risk their lives to deliver
essential supplies.
International and Local Responses:
Various international organizations, including the UN,
have been attempting to provide aid, but their operations are frequently
interrupted by the ongoing conflict. Local humanitarian organizations are also
active but often lack the resources and access to reach all areas affected by
the conflict.
Efforts for peace in Sudan, particularly in regions
like West Kordufan, are ongoing but face immense challenges due to the
fragmentation of power, the complexity of the alliances between the SAF and
RSF, and local ethnic and political issues.
In summary, the situation in West Kordufan remains
dire, with large-scale displacement, limited access to basic services, and
significant humanitarian needs. The ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF
complicates the delivery of aid and the restoration of stability, leaving the
region in a prolonged crisis.