KHARTOUM, Sudan- (African Boulevard News) – As the fighting between rival factions in Sudan’s capital city continues, countries are rushing to evacuate their diplomats and citizens from Khartoum. Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the United States are among the nations using aircraft and convoys to bring foreign nationals out of Sudan.
Evacuations in Progress
The situation in Sudan has escalated sharply in recent days, with more than 420 people killed so far and thousands more injured. As a result, foreign governments have started evacuating their citizens from Sudan to ensure their safety.
Unrest in Sudan
The violence in Sudan began in late 2018, after President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a coup. Since then, the country has been in a state of political instability, with different factions vying for power. The conflict has now spread to the capital city, leading to widespread violence and unrest.
Assistance from the United States
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that it has deployed a team of disaster response experts to Sudan. USAID chief Samantha Power said the team will initially operate out of Kenya.
According to Power, “The United States is mobilizing to ramp up assistance to the people of Sudan ensnared between the warring factions. The Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) will work with the international community and our international partners to identify priority needs and safely deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to those who need it most.”
Humanitarian Crisis
The situation in Sudan is dire, with many people living in terror as the violence continues. The power blackouts and loss of internet service have added to the difficulties faced by Sudanese nationals caught up in the conflict. Some have made the decision to take to the dangerous roads in cars and buses to escape.
Among those affected are the many families who should be celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, but instead, they are living in fear. Power warns that “one-third of Sudan’s population, nearly 16 million people already needed humanitarian assistance to meet basic human needs before this outbreak of violence.”
Further Escalation
The fighting is not limited to the capital city, as it has also erupted in the troubled region of Darfur. The situation has now reached a critical point, and there are concerns that it could escalate further without prompt intervention.
As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, foreign governments are taking steps to ensure the safety of their citizens. However, the concern remains for the millions of Sudanese people caught up in the violence and in desperate need of assistance.
Conclusion
As the crisis in Sudan deepens, the international community must step up and provide much-needed assistance to the people affected by the violence. The deployment of the USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team is a positive step, but more must be done to help the millions of Sudanese people in need.
