Today marks World Refugee Day. We would like to take the opportunity to draw attention to the crisis in Sudan, to the suffering of those forced to flee their homes without protection or support. Sudanese civilians are enduring the largest and fastest growing displacement crisis in the world.

For over two years, Sudan has been engulfed in a vicious cycle of violence, death, and destruction, one that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and has forced millions out of their homes. The refugee crisis has led to over 13 million people being forcibly displaced. Over 7 million people are internally displaced within Sudan.

Countries, such as Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Egypt, and Libya were already facing conflicts and resource shortages. They now shelter the over 4 million people that fled Sudan altogether. In Chad alone, over 800,000 refugees have fled from Darfur, the majority of them women and children.

Women and children bear the brunt of this crisis. Men are more likely to be killed or detained, which leaves women as the primary caretakers and decision makers. As they seek safety for themselves and their children, women face heightened risk of sexual violence at both shelters and illegal checkpoints. Tragically, 90% of Sudanese children have no access to formal education, a basic right.

Since the recent attacks on the Zamzam camp, there has been a documented rise in forced displacement and the detention of displaced people. The over 800,000 who fled Zamzam, Abu Shouk, and Tawila, live in catastrophic conditions due to lack of basic services and a near total absence of humanitarian aid. There is no access to clean water or healthcare. Reports of child malnutrition and disease outbreaks continue to rise.

This World Refugee Day, we are forced to reckon with the recent U.S. travel ban on Sudan and other countries. The ban restricts visa access for Sudanese citizens, which effectively shuts the door on refugees who seek safety and a new life in the United States. It is imperative that U.S. policies, to Sudan and other crises affected-countries, should prioritize protection of human rights, particularly for genocide victims, through promotion of the rule of law. The recent ban punishes victims of the worst crises, such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, when policies should instead be holding perpetrators accountable. In the face of genocide and collapsing aid infrastructure, the U.S. should be offering asylum, not raising its barriers.

Coupled with recent cuts to humanitarian aid, this policy leaves Sudanese refugees with nowhere to turn. Aid groups are forced to scale back or suspend services, schools are closed, food distribution is slowed, and medical services are targeted. All while the international community looks the other way.

Do not allow this day to be a hollow “commemoration” of the plight of Sudanese refugees and refugees across the globe. Use today as a call to action. As this refugee crisis intensifies. we issue this urgent call to the global community: act now.

We call on DWAG supporters to:

• Join our Stand With Sudan campaign;
• Share our messages on social media to spread awareness.

We call on the United Nations Security Council, the African Union, the United States, and the international community as a whole to take the following steps to end suffering and save lives in Sudan:

• Rescind the U.S. travel ban on Sudan immediately and expand protections for Sudanese asylum seekers and refugees;
• Swiftly authorize and deploy civilian protection forces for the innocent Sudanese people, particularly in Darfur;
• Impose criminal and financial accountability for all individuals and states complicit in committing past and present genocide and war crimes in Sudan;
• Demand that the warring parties immediately cease all attacks and strictly adhere to a permanent, verifiable ceasefire;
• Authorize urgent and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for all in need across Sudan;
• Press the warring parties to stop the torture, murder, rape, and starvation of civilians as a strategy of war;
• U.S., UNSC, and allies must hold the regional and international enablers supplying weapons to the warring parties in Sudan accountable;
• US and allies must cease the selling of arms to the UAE and prevent genocide in Sudan.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at communication@darfurwomenaction.org if you want to remain engaged or updated on our future projects and action opportunities.

With gratitude,

Sincerely,

Niemat Ahmadi, President,

Norrie Kurtz, Chair of the board,

And Darfur Women Action Group’s Team