More than 800,000 people may flee Sudan as a result of fighting between military factions, including many who had already come there as refugees, a UN official has said.
Key points:
- The UN say they are expecting 815,000 people to flee Sudan
- 73,000 people have already fled to seven of Sudan’s neighbouring countries
- More than 100 Australians are still registered in Sudan
“Without a quick resolution of this crisis we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance,” Raouf Mazou told a member state briefing in Geneva on Monday.
“In consultation with all concerned governments and partners we’ve arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighbouring countries.”
The estimate includes around 580,000 Sudanese, he said, with the others existing refugees from South Sudan and elsewhere.
So far, he said some 73,000 people have already fled to Sudan’s seven neighbours: South Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Libya.
At the same briefing, the United Nations resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, Abdou Dieng, warned that the humanitarian crisis was turning into a “full blown catastrophe” and that the risk of spillover into neighbouring countries was worrying.
“It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan humanitarian crisis into a full blown catastrophe,” Mr Dieng said via video link.
Aussies in Sudan
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told the ABC that more than 150 Australians and their family members have departed Sudan.
“Australia is working closely with partners to facilitate the departure of Australian citizens and their families from Sudan,” they said.
“Australians should consider leaving Sudan as soon as possible. The security situation remains dangerous and travel routes should be assessed carefully.”
DFAT also told the ABC they have deployed consular officers to the region to support those evacuating and are in contact with more than 100 Australians and their family members who are registered in Sudan.
They said they will advise those still in the country on leaving by sea or air.
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ABC/Reuters