Thousands flee their homes in the Sudan conflict: an eyewitness account 

The conflict in Sudan has been called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. After almost four years of fighting, 12 million people have already been forced to leave their homes, often living without enough food or water.  

Red Cross worker Fanny de Swarte recently visited Northern State near the border with Egypt. Here, she shares what she saw, why the crisis is so serious, and how the Red Cross and Red Crescent are helping. 

"When terrified families flee to Northern State from their homes in Darfur and Kordofan, their first stop is the town of Al Dabbah. You see large numbers of people living in the street in makeshift tents. Local authorities told us there were 10,000 people waiting for a place in one of the displaced people’s camps. 
 
Later on, we had a chance to visit one of these camps in Al Dabbah. In October 3,000 people lived there but just four months later, it was home to 25,000 people. The camp is very well organised, but there are also shortages.  

So, for example, the local community gave food and clothes to the people who fled their homes. The British Red Cross, in partnership with the Danish Red Cross and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society also provided blankets, sheets and more clothes. Since it’s the middle of winter, it gets cold during the night, even in Sudan. Local authorities have already started building another camp in Al Dabbah, as more people arrive every day. 

Thousands of women affected by sexual violence

People faced very long and dangerous journeys to get to the camps in the first place. You hear stories everywhere that people have walked for days. 

For example, many people are fleeing the violent conflict in the town of El Fasher. Their first stop is usually Tawila, where the Red Cross and Red Crescent have already helped 10,000 famillies. 

But in the next part of their journey, people face sexual violence along the way or checkpoints that they must pass. Many are also robbed of everything they were able to carry from their homes. 

The trauma people have endured - and continue to endure - is palpable, even if they are anxious to speak about it. At the maternity hospital in Dongola, the number of pregnancies resulting from rape has tripled. In camp clinics, protocols for treating rape survivors are displayed as prominently as handwashing instructions. 

Together, the Red Cross and Red Crescent have created a special safe space within one of the hospitals for survivors and we’re supporting them with health care. 

Imagine sharing a toilet with 150 people

Around 20 km away from Al Dabba in Al Afad, there are also big problems around health and sanitation. Some local families are hosting those who fled their homes, while others are living in camps. 

There have been cholera outbreaks in other parts of Sudan, and while there’s no outbreak in Northern State yet, it's a very dangerous situation. Hygiene facilities haven’t grown to meet the needs of all the newcomers. So now, there are 150 for each toilet.  

I had to go to the toilet when I was there. And you can imagine if 150 people have to use the same toilet, it's not very hygienic. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will be supporting both the host families and displaced people, so we are looking for raising extra funds to help with the hygiene situation. 

Even after losing everything, Red Cross volunteers are helping others

Despite the challenges, staff and volunteers of the Sudanese Red Crescent have been central to the humanitarian response in Northern State. In Al Afad, half of the volunteers are people who fled their homes themselves, from Darfur or Kordofan. Some had already been volunteering in El Fasher before they were forced to flee. 

Staff members, too, have lost their homes, yet continue to assist others on the move. Together, they manage food programmes, health clinics, distribution of clothes and blankets, information services, and family reunification activities.   

The Danish Red Cross and the British Red Cross are also helping provide shelter for people. The next step is to give cash grants to people so they can buy the supplies they need.  

We’re also working hard to keep cholera out of the area. This includes training Red Crescent volunteers to teach thousands of people about good hygiene. We will also be setting up handwashing stations, which are vital tools in preventing and combating cholera. 

Much of this work is made possible by the Disaster Fund, which is supported by the British public. Please donate now to continue supporting people in some of the worst circumstances in the world.