UN’s Grandi Warns of Renewed Crisis in Sudan, Calls for Action

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has escalated dramatically since April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and creating a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi described the situation as “the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world,” marking a stark reminder of the violence that occurred two decades ago in the Darfur region.

Since the outbreak of hostilities between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the situation has worsened. Grandi noted that approximately 12 million people have been displaced, with one-third seeking refuge in neighboring countries that are already facing their own crises. The violence has direct ethnic implications, echoing the atrocities committed during the Darfur conflict, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people and the displacement of nearly 2.5 million individuals.

International Response Under Scrutiny

Grandi expressed concern about the fading attention the international community has given to Sudan. He suggested that the world has not only forgotten about the ongoing crisis but has never truly engaged with it. “I’m not sure the world is forgetting because it has never paid much attention to it,” he stated, highlighting a potential “crisis fatigue” that has diminished international response. This is particularly concerning given the catastrophic conditions in North Darfur’s El-Fasher, where hundreds of thousands of people are trapped amidst an extended siege by RSF forces. Grandi emphasized that many residents are forced to flee at night, risking their lives in search of food and safety.

The humanitarian landscape has been exacerbated by significant cuts in foreign aid from major donors such as the United States and European countries. Grandi warned that reducing support for regions like Sudan, which are already vulnerable, is a strategic error that could lead to increased migration towards Europe. “Slashing humanitarian aid to people in this belt around Europe that is so full of crisis is a recipe for seeing more people moving on towards Europe,” he said.

Broader Implications of Global Conflicts

The crisis in Sudan is not isolated; it is part of a larger pattern of conflicts around the world that receive insufficient attention. Grandi recently returned from Myanmar, where ongoing violence between rebel groups and the military, which took power during a coup in 2021, has displaced approximately three million people. He described the conflict there as “very harsh” and noted that civilian communities are bearing the brunt of the violence.

The plight of the Rohingya Muslim minority, many of whom are living as refugees in Bangladesh, will be addressed at a high-level UN meeting scheduled for September 30, 2023. Grandi pointed out that while international attention may wane for complex conflicts, there are still many individuals and organizations committed to making a difference.

“It’s true that there is little political attention for these very complicated conflicts,” he remarked, referring to the ongoing turmoil in places like Ukraine and Gaza. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of continually raising awareness about suffering and the need for humanitarian support.

As the world grapples with multiple crises, Grandi’s call to action serves as a crucial reminder of the urgent need to address the humanitarian situation in Sudan and beyond.