Sudan’s Displaced Have Endured ‘Unimaginable Suffering and Brutal Atrocities’

Over Three Million Sudanese Forced to Flee Amid Ongoing Conflict, Warns UNHCR

Nineteen months after violent conflict erupted between Sudan’s rival forces — the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised alarm over the worsening humanitarian crisis. More than three million people have now been displaced, forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries to escape the escalating violence.

“Over a year and a half of unimaginable suffering, brutal atrocities, and widespread human rights violations”

Dominique Hyde, Director of External Relations at UNHCR, expressed deep concern during a briefing in Geneva following her visit to displaced communities in Chad, which has become a critical refuge for approximately 700,000 war survivors. “Every minute of every day, lives are being shattered by war and violence, often away from the world’s attention,” she stated.

Hyde praised Chad for becoming a “sanctuary, a lifeline” for those escaping Sudan, but emphasized how the scale of the crisis continues to overwhelm the region.

Witnessing Atrocities Firsthand

Hyde shared the harrowing stories she encountered while speaking with those displaced. “People told me how they watched their family members being murdered,” she said. “Many are targeted simply because of their ethnicity. Men and boys are killed and their bodies burned, while women are raped during their flight.”

Despite vast humanitarian efforts, including relocating over 370,000 refugees to new and expanded settlements, tens of thousands of families are still waiting for the chance to rebuild their lives in safety.

A Crisis Forgotten by the World

The mass exodus from Sudan has placed immense pressure on neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Central African Republic. These nations have taken in refugees, providing safety and essential services despite stretching their own resources to the limit.

“This is the worst civilian protection crisis the world has seen in decades, yet it receives little global attention,” Hyde emphasized.

The situation has worsened recently, with 60,000 additional Sudanese fleeing to Chad in October alone following renewed fighting in Darfur as floodwaters receded. Adre, a small border town previously home to 40,000 residents, is now hosting 230,000 Sudanese refugees, many still awaiting relocation from harsh and overcrowded conditions.

Unrelenting Violence and Suffering

“The exodus from Sudan continues, with no end in sight,” Hyde said. “People are arriving with nothing but memories of the horrific violence they witnessed and endured — experiences no one should ever have to go through.”

According to UNHCR, 71% of those who fled reported suffering human rights violations while escaping Sudan. One particularly chilling testimony came from a young woman who survived a massacre near the Darfuri city of El Geneina, where out of 180 people fleeing, only 17 survived. The survivors recounted that all the women were raped, and six of the survivors later took their own lives due to the trauma.

Urgent Need for Funding and Support

Despite the dire situation, the $1.5 billion Refugee Response Plan aimed at assisting 2.7 million displaced people across five neighboring countries is only 29% funded. “While Chad and its people have shown extraordinary generosity and solidarity with the Sudanese, they cannot do it alone,” Hyde warned.

“We need international support, and we need it now.”