UN says Sudan conflict has created world's 'fastest-growing' displacement crisis

GENEVA

The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan on Thursday said conflict in the North African nation has led to the world's "fastest-growing" displacement crisis.

Clementine Nkweta-Salami told a briefing in Geneva that some 5.4 million people have fled their homes and are displaced within Sudan or in neighboring countries.

"That is an average of more than 30,000 a day, many fleeing with nothing but the clothes on their backs," she said.

While half of Sudan’s population – 24.7 million – require humanitarian aid and protection, she said, the conflict has also crippled the country's health sector with "70% of all hospitals no longer functional."

She warned that the conflict, which started in April amid tensions over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces into the army, could reach areas such as the state of Jazirah, Sudan’s breadbasket, and cause "grave consequences" for food security.

She said heavy rains and floods have affected more than 70,000 people across seven states in recent weeks, adding: "I am concerned that this could lead to more outbreaks of water-borne diseases. There is already a cholera outbreak declared in the eastern state of Gedaref, and we are investigating if it has spread to Khartoum and South Kordofan."

"Battling a cholera outbreak in a warzone is difficult at the best of times," she said. "With fighting escalating, it may be near-impossible to control."

More international support and safety for aid operations are needed to better access to those in need, she said, adding: "We need to reach 18 million people. We will not give up on that target."

Nkweta-Salami also pointed out gaps in funding, saying: "The population of Sudan is balancing on a knife’s edge as their country is gradually consumed by this conflict. And we need the world to show much more solidarity – or we may witness Sudan falling off the cliff."