In the South Sudanese town of Renk, a recent arrival of a truck loaded with elderly men, women, and children paints a stark picture of the strain faced by those fleeing war-torn Sudan.
Over half a million people have sought refuge in South Sudan, creating challenges for the overwhelmed UN-run transit centers in Renk, located just 10 kilometers from the Sudanese border.
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April the previous year between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has forced people to embark on perilous journeys to escape the violence.
Since the conflict began, almost eight million people, including half of them children, have fled Sudan, with approximately 560,000 seeking refuge in South Sudan.
The United Nations reports an average of 1,500 new arrivals every day. Many of these displaced individuals find themselves spending months in transit camps, holding onto hope for a return home.
Iman David, a 20-year-old mother, fled Khartoum with her three-month-old daughter, leaving her husband behind. Seven months later, she remains in Renk, uncertain about her husband’s fate and yearning to reunite with him.
The war has taken a toll on civilian lives, with thousands reported dead, and around 25 million Sudanese—more than half the population—requiring humanitarian aid. Additionally, 3.8 million children under five are facing malnutrition.
While some refugees in Renk hope to return home, others aspire to continue their journey to towns like Malakal or the South Sudanese capital, Juba.
The wait is a challenge, with long queues forming at Renk port under the scorching sun. Lina Juna, a 27-year-old mother of four, expresses her expectations for a better life in Juba, despite having no connections there.
With the approaching monsoon season adding concerns, the International Organization for Migration’s Deng Samson emphasizes the need for urgent international assistance. The UN has launched an appeal for $4.1 billion this month to address critical humanitarian needs as the crisis intensifies.
