UNHCR Raises Alarm Over Civilian Suffering in Khartoum Amid Sudan Conflict
The United Nations Refugee Agency, known as UNHCR, has issued a grave update about the escalating violence in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have driven civilians into peril and forced many to flee. The organization reports that a substantial number of refugees and asylum seekers living in the area faced a deadly siege as hostilities intensified, resulting in a confirmed death toll and injuries among civilians who sought safety inside the city. UNHCR emphasizes the urgent need for corridors that allow civilians, including vulnerable refugees, to move away from danger toward secure locations while ensuring that humanitarian workers can reach affected communities to deliver life saving aid. The message from UNHCR underscores the brutal human cost of the conflict and the responsibility of all parties to protect civilians, uphold safety, and respect the rules of international humanitarian law that safeguard those who have already endured upheaval and displacement.
In its formal briefing, UNHCR conveys that a confirmed figure marks the loss of 28 asylum seekers housed in Khartoum due to the siege, with many others injured as fighting disrupted everyday life in the area. The agency expresses sincere condolences to the families of the victims and reiterates its commitment to monitoring the situation on the ground. The statement also highlights that refugees, both those internally displaced within Sudan and those who have already crossed borders, continue to bear the brunt of an ongoing war. The voices of senior regional leaders reflect a call to all parties to facilitate the safe passage of civilians, to provide protection and essential services, and to respect the fundamental rights of those caught in the conflict. The emphasis remains on preventing further harm to those who have already endured significant hardship as they seek safety in a volatile environment.
Balde, a representative of UNHCR, has drawn attention to the persistent danger facing non combatants despite repeated appeals for their protection. The report depicts a troubling reality in which civilians, including refugees, still face harassment, intimidation, and violence as they attempt to escape the fighting. The document notes multiple instances where displaced people experienced obstruction and abuse as they tried to reach safer areas, a pattern that underscores the complexity and severity of the crisis. UNHCR highlights that the search for safety is not a straightforward journey but rather a dangerous ordeal in which communities must navigate irregular armed activity, roadblocks, and the erosion of rule of law. These observations point to the urgent need for secure corridors, monitored humanitarian access, and robust civilian protection measures that can reduce exposure to harm during flight from conflict zones.
As the fighting persists beyond two months, the humanitarian footprint expands rapidly, with millions of people displaced either within Sudan or crossing into neighboring nations in search of refuge. Before this cycle of violence intensified, Sudan hosted a large population of refugees from neighboring countries and regions, including people from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Syria. The ongoing crisis compounds the long standing displacement challenges in the region, stressing host communities and limiting access to essential services such as food, water, shelter, and medical care. UNHCR continues to monitor displacement trends, advocate for international protection, and coordinate with partners to scale up refugee assistance programs, including safe shelter, protection services, and psychosocial support for traumatized populations. The agency stresses that protecting civilians and maintaining access for humanitarian workers are critical components of any durable relief effort, and it urges the international community to sustain and expand support to those most affected by the conflict, at risk of violence and deprivation, until sustained peace and stability can be restored.