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UNITED NATIONS, New York / UM RAQUBA, Sudan – More than 33,000 people have fled eastern Sudan from the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to United Nations officials. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has begun relocating refugees from transit centers to a settlement for displaced people in Um Raquba, where UNFPA is working with partners to provide critical services.
Most of the relocated refugees are women and children.
“I have seen men killed before my very eyes. I can’t forget that, ”a young woman told UNFPA officials in Um Raquba during a needs assessment.
“I ran out of the house when the shots were fired. I still don’t know where my father and brothers are. “
Fear, trauma, sexual violence
Many of the women and girls fear for their safety. Vulnerability to gender-based violence often increases during humanitarian crises.
“When I left, I fled with seven children. We traveled for four nights on foot through the mountains and forests. During the day we would hide, ”a 37-year-old refugee told UNFPA. “I have two daughters, 20 and 18 years old. I can’t sleep soundly because I have anxiety for the safety of my daughters. “
Furthermore, the refugees lack safe toilets and private showers. Women and girls have resorted to walking a little from the settlement to relieve themselves in the open air, exposing them to possible violence.
UNFPA and its partners are intervening to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Psychological first aid and trauma counseling are urgently needed. UNFPA is working with UNHCR to integrate these services into programs for survivors of GBV.
Unmet reproductive health needs
The reproductive health needs of women are also dangerously unmet. The closest referral health center that can provide post-rape treatment or emergency obstetric care is about 40 minutes from Um Raquba.
“A woman lost her baby after nine months of pregnancy due to lack of services,” said Massimo Diana, UNFPA Representative in Sudan. The woman had arrived at the health center too late to give birth safely.
“No woman should have to go through this and we are working to ensure that life-saving services are available,” she added.
UNFPA estimates that of the newly arrived refugees in Sudan, more than 700 are likely to be pregnant, and more than 150 are believed to be GBV survivors in need of assistance.
More than 7,500 refugees are estimated to be women of reproductive age.
“The first day I arrived at this camp, I started to menstruate,” a 26-year-old refugee told UNFPA. “One day, I was left with stained and bloody clothes. Then I sold my only valuable phone, my Android phone, to buy underwear, cotton and soap to deal with menstruation. “
UNFPA responding
UNFPA is working to establish safe spaces for these women and girls, where they can find psychosocial support and referrals to health and other services.
With its partners, UNFPA is also working to distribute dignity kits, which contain hygiene supplies such as sanitary pads, clothing, soap, underwear and other necessities.
UNFPA is also providing clean delivery kits, which contain basic supplies to facilitate a safe delivery, including an antiseptic cream, a razor to cut the umbilical cord, a sterile sheet for the woman to deliver, and a blanket to warm the baby. . More comprehensive reproductive health emergency kits are being provided to health workers and clinics being set up on site.
But more help is needed.
Partners, including the UN Refugee Agency, estimate that the number of refugees could rise to 200,000 in the next six months.
“As many more people are expected to cross the border, additional support will be critical to meeting the growing needs,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “I urge all parties to allow humanitarian access so that women and families can get the assistance they need.”
