Sudan: Humanitarian impact of Armed Violence in Aj Jazirah - Flash Update No. 03 (As of 04 November 2024)

Highlights

• About 135,400 people (27,081 families) were displaced from various locations in Aj Jazirah State following a wave of armed violence and attacks on over 30 villages and towns in parts of Aj Jazirah State since 20 October. • The newly displaced people have arrived in 16 localities in Gedaref, Kassala and River Nile states. • There are reports of missing, unaccompanied or separated children among displaced people, children with multiple gunshot injuries and arbitrary arrests and detention of children in parts of Aj Jazirah. • The main needs of the displaced people from Aj Jazirah are food, shelter, essential household supplies, access to safe water, sanitation, health, and protection services. • Humanitarian partners are providing hot meals, food rations, health, water, sanitation and other services to thousands of displaced people in Gedaref and Kassala states

Situation Overview

Thousands of civilians continue to flee following a wave of armed violence and attacks on over 30 villages and towns in parts of Aj Jazirah State since on 20 October. The Sudan INGO Forum, a group of 70 international NGOs working in Sudan, said in a statement that the escalation of hostilities in eastern Aj Jazirah State was marked by some of the most extreme violence in the past 18 months. The Forum urged the international community to act on the UN Secretary-General’s call for decisive action to protect civilians and ensure safe and unfettered aid delivery across Sudan.

Almost two weeks after the attacks started, there are reports of displaced children arriving with multiple injuries due to gun shots, while reportedly arbitrary arrests and detention of children in parts of Aj Jazirah State continue. There are reports of missing and unaccompanied or separated children among the displaced people. In addition, alarming reports of sexual violence against young girls and adolescents continue to be reported, with some yet to be verified cases of women and girls subjected to sexual assault and violence committing suicide. Food crops have been burned or destroyed and solar systems operating water supply systems have been vandalized, affecting the ability of families and communities to access water for domestic and farming purposes. Insecurity and lack of sustained communication channels is impacting the ability of humanitarian organisations to collect information and data on the situation in parts of Aj Jazirah that have been subjected to violence and attacks.