The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Tuesday that it has registered nearly 7,000 missing persons since the conflict in Sudan began. This staggering figure highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting countless families.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have arrested thousands of individuals, with some released after ransom payments, while others tragically died from hunger and lack of healthcare in detention centers. Unfortunately, the fate of the majority remains unknown.
Hussein Ibrahim Rassoul, Deputy Economic Security Coordinator for the ICRC in Sudan, stated, “The International Committee has registered nearly 7,000 missing persons since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, until today.” His remarks underscore the urgent need for action and support. Moreover, Rassoul pointed out that the ICRC, in collaboration with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, has facilitated hundreds of phone calls in the Tawila locality of North Darfur, which help families maintain contact with their loved ones during this tumultuous time.
According to the United Nations and various human rights organizations, the RSF has committed numerous violations. These include mass killings, executions of the sick, detention for financial ransom, and the rape of women, particularly after the RSF took control of El Fasher on 26 October.
Humanitarian Aid Initiatives
Rassoul emphasized that the ICRC is working to increase aid for newly arrived families in Tawila, with the aim to support an additional 12,000 families, which equates to approximately 72,000 people. He added, “Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes as a result of the conflict. They have arrived in Tawila and continue to arrive daily. Most are women, children, and the elderly. Their situation is challenging. They cannot even meet their basic needs, and they suffer from hunger, thirst, shock, and exhaustion. Some are injured or ill and have lost contact with their loved ones.”
Tawila, located about 60 kilometers west of El Fasher, has become a refuge for 655,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), most of whom fled El Fasher, with 21% living in camps, while 74% have settled in informal settlements and open gathering places.
Rassoul reported that the Red Cross is enhancing its humanitarian response in Tawila to meet the basic needs of affected communities. This effort is in cooperation with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society. He indicated that ICRC teams have already provided financial assistance to 10,000 families, benefiting a total of 60,000 displaced persons.
Financial Support and Medical Assistance
In a related context, Adnan Hizam, spokesperson for the ICRC, revealed that, in cooperation with the Red Crescent, the Committee delivered 1,200,000 Sudanese Pounds to 8,000 families last week. Each family consists of six members, highlighting the scale of support needed in the region.
Hizam confirmed that the ICRC supports the provision of essential medical supplies and operational assistance to hospitals, including those supported by Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). Additionally, the ICRC plans to provide water filters to improve water sources in Tawila.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on October 29 that 98% of families in Tawila lack sleeping materials such as blankets, mattresses, and mosquito nets. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) confirmed that many families are forced to sleep in the open, increasing the risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse for women and girls.
Furthermore, the IOM reported that 86% of the displaced in Tawila suffer from poor food consumption. Alarmingly, 30% of children under five are either thin or not growing well, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
