Lives changed as KSrelief, UNHCR support people fleeing the Sudan conflict rebuild in safety and dignity

When conflict broke out in Sudan in April 2023, millions of people were forced on the move in search of safety. Many people fled with almost nothing having lost everything in the fighting, forced to rely on humanitarian assistance to survive.

A generous contribution of US$ 6 million by the King Salman Humanitarian and Relief Centre (KSrelief), enabled UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency to provide critical emergency relief material to thousands of people forced to flee. With this support, thousands of displaced families in Chad and South Sudan, two of the largest hosts of people fleeing Sudan, received shelter kits, blankets, mattresses, kitchen utensils, and other relief items to improve their living conditions.

In Chad, over 1,900 refugee families received much needed shelter, ensuring their safety, boosting their privacy and providing adequate space to store goods and food, particularly urgent given that nearly 90 per cent of the new arrivals are women and children.

“Many of us fled the violence to seek refuge in Chad. Upon arriving, we were warmly received in Adré and from here, we were transferred to this new settlement called Metché. Thank God, here in Metché we have shelter that protects us from the harsh weather during the rainy season,” said Noura Abdallah Mouhamed, a mother who had fled from her hometown in El Geneina in Sudan’s Darfur region.

"All the items they have provided are very good and useful to the people. They came when we needed them the most."

 

Displaced people inside Sudan, including refugees who had found refuge in the country, were also similarly assisted.

“We received sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets and other items. It has made our life easier. They (KSreleif) have helped us a lot and have spared us, especially as winter and the cold is coming,” said Ibrahim Elsir Ibrahim, displaced from his home and now living in Alrabwa site for internally displaced people.

“All the items they have provided are very good and useful to the people,” said Huda Musa Mohamed, also living in the same IDP site. “They came when we needed them the most,” she added.

KSrelief’s contribution helped thousands of Sudanese families move from chaos to calm from displacement to dignity. The shelters that were built in the crisis have become more of a symbol of hope. UNHCR is grateful to KSrelief for the strong support in response to the Sudan situation. We continue to urge more international solidarity so that people’s lives can be saved.

Now going into the third year since the start of the conflict, the Sudan emergency remains the largest and most devasting displacement and humanitarian situations in the world, with growing needs every day without a ceasefire and peace. 

Since the start of the conflict in April 2023 to date, nearly 13 million people have been displaced both within Sudan and across borders. Today one in every three Sudanese is displaced. One in every 13 refugees globally originates from Sudan, accounting for the largest number of people displaced outside their country in Africa.

UNHCR reiterates calls for an urgent end to the conflict, paving way for lasting peace so that the people of Sudan can finally return home and rebuild their country.