More internally displaced persons worldwide than ever before I DW News

Summary

Conflicts and disasters have displaced over 75 million people globally in 2023, with Sudan being the worst affected. The ongoing civil war in Sudan has displaced over 9 million people, with ethnic cleansing and war crimes reported, particularly in Darfur. Civilians face siege, famine, and mass displacement, while humanitarian aid is hindered. Experts emphasize the international community's failure to stop the violence, and fear that the conflict could escalate further, risking more lives. The situation is dire, with calls for stronger international intervention to end the crisis.

Takeaways

• 🌍 A record number of 75 million people were displaced within their own countries in 2023 due to conflicts and disasters, with Sudan being the worst-affected nation.
• 😔 Four-year-old Yasmine from Sudan's Darfur region was shot and lost her mother, exemplifying the tragic impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians.
• ⚔️ The conflict in Sudan, especially in Darfur, is characterized by atrocities including ethnic cleansing and war crimes, primarily perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias.
• 🔒 Since April 2023, Sudan's civil war between the RSF and Sudanese Army has intensified, with recent heavy fighting in the city of El Fasher, Darfur's last major city under Sudanese Army control.
• ⚠️ Humanitarian aid is severely restricted due to ongoing violence and a communications blackout, leaving millions of civilians in Darfur on the brink of famine.
• 📉 The conflict has displaced over 9 million Sudanese internally, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Chad, while ethnic cleansing continues to target African-descendant groups.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Human Rights Watch has documented the RSF’s involvement in atrocities similar to those seen 20 years ago during Darfur’s previous conflict, highlighting a failure to prevent history from repeating.
• 🛑 External actors, including Egypt, the UAE, and Russia, are contributing to the conflict, making international efforts to end the war challenging.
• 📡 Internet blackouts and lack of communication infrastructure severely limit reporting and humanitarian support, exacerbating the crisis.
• 🤲 Aid efforts are hampered by looting and bureaucratic obstacles, with local responders struggling to meet the needs of the displaced and the famine-threatened population.

Q & A

What is the main reason people in Sudan are being forced to flee their homes?

Conflicts and disasters, particularly the ongoing civil war between Sudan’s paramilitary rapid support forces and the Sudanese Army, are forcing people to flee their homes due to violence, ethnic cleansing, and destruction.

How many people were displaced within Sudan in 2023 according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center?

More than 75 million people were displaced within Sudan in 2023.

Why is Sudan's West Darfur region specifically highlighted in the script?

West Darfur is highlighted because it has experienced some of the worst atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and genocide, carried out by the rapid support forces and allied militias.

What was the fate of Yasmine and her family when fleeing from Sudan’s conflict?

Yasmine, a four-year-old girl from West Darfur, was shot in the leg by the rapid support forces. Her mother, who was 8 months pregnant, was killed during the attack, leaving Yasmine alone. She was later rescued by others and taken to a camp for displaced people in Chad.

What does the UN warn about the situation in Al Fashir, the capital of North Darfur?

The UN warns that over 800,000 civilians are in danger in Al Fashir, which is under siege, and humanitarian aid is unable to reach the region where millions are on the brink of famine.

What challenges are humanitarian aid efforts facing in Sudan?

Humanitarian aid efforts face significant challenges, including access restrictions due to ongoing violence, a telecommunications blackout, and bureaucratic impediments imposed by both warring factions.

What role do international actors like Egypt, UAE, and Russia play in the conflict?

International actors such as Egypt, the UAE, and Russia have a significant influence on the conflict by supporting and arming different factions, making it difficult to resolve the war through local efforts alone.

Why is the conflict in Sudan referred to as a 'forgotten' or 'ignored' war?

The conflict is called a 'forgotten' or 'ignored' war because it has not received enough international attention, despite numerous atrocities and human rights violations. Factors like geopolitical interests and racism may contribute to the lack of focus on the crisis.

What impact has the telecommunications blackout had on documenting the situation in Sudan?

The telecommunications blackout has made it difficult to document human rights violations, send aid, and communicate with those on the ground, severely limiting the flow of information and the ability to address the crisis.

What are the prospects of displaced people in Sudan returning to their homes?

At the moment, it is unlikely that displaced people will be able to return to their homes safely, especially those from ethnic groups targeted by ethnic cleansing and genocide. The conflict is ongoing and intensifying in many regions.