Sudan: 17 IDPs Die in Desert after Losing Their Way

The Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) has uncovered a horrific humanitarian disaster, with 41 internal displaced persons (IDPs) lost in the desert while attempting to travel from the city of Tina in North Darfur to the city of Ad-Dabbah in the north of the country.

HAC confirmed that the group included 13 children, and that 17 of them died as a result of exhaustion, hunger, thirst, and the harsh conditions of wandering in the desert. This is one of the most horrific examples of the suffering endured by Sudanese IDPs due to the ongoing conflicts.

According to Humanitarian Aid Commission monitoring teams, these displaced people left Tina on foot, embarking on a perilous journey in search of safety and stability in Ad-Dabbah, after their livelihoods became increasingly difficult in the conflict zones. However, the difficult desert terrain and the lack of supplies and navigation equipment led to the loss of their route.

Among the victims were a number of children who could not endure the harsh conditions of wandering, as water and food were completely unavailable, and the group was ill-equipped for such a long desert journey.

The Humanitarian Aid Commission issued an urgent appeal to international organizations and relief agencies to act quickly to provide support and assistance to those stranded on the desert roads and to intensify search and rescue operations, especially given the fears that other missing persons may be in remote areas who have not yet received supplies or rescue teams.