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PREGNANT WOMEN, separated families and sick elderly are among the thousands of refugees who continue to arrive daily in Sudan from conflict-ravaged Ethiopia, said the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
Many of those arriving reportedly appear traumatized and all are in dire need of humanitarian assistance, according to the NGO.
“People sleep in the open air. There are no tents, only blankets. There is some food, such as oatmeal and water, but there are no toilets, showers, or health services. Many families arrived with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing. They basically come in with nothing, nothing, ”said Will Carter, NRC’s country director in Sudan.
NRC is currently working in the Um Raquba camp in Gedaref state, eastern Sudan, where up to 5,000 people cross daily from Ethiopia.
According to the UN, so far more than 30,000 refugees have fled to Sudan after fighting broke out in the Tigray region earlier this month.
“There are pregnant women in the camp, diabetics without insulin, people living with HIV / AIDS without medical attention and children without parents. It is a deeply traumatic and depressing time for many, ”Carter said.
He added that he said that some people are arriving injured and many are very distressed, after having witnessed the extreme violence at home.
“Some are injured and are being treated at the border crossing. Refugees have told us that they are concerned for their relatives in Tigray, as they cannot communicate with them due to the communication cut-off. Others have told us heartbreaking stories about how they witnessed the deaths of people, forcing many to flee, “he said.
NRC is one of the few humanitarian agencies working with state authorities to ensure that people receive the help they need and avoid a deeper crisis.
In the coming days, NRC will provide cash assistance to newly arrived families so they can purchase essentials at local markets. An inter-agency humanitarian appeal will soon be launched to provide desperately needed life-saving assistance.
“The needs in this current crisis are immense, but the resources, even for the broader relief efforts in Sudan, are incredibly depleted. Donors now have the opportunity to support the government of Sudan and the people of Ethiopia, and urgently release money and help save thousands of lives. The Sudanese government can also support aid agencies by quickly resolving logistical challenges and avoiding unnecessary delays in aid delivery, ”Carter said.
