Canadian ambassador describes escape from Sudan as UN warns of massive humanitarian crisis

The United Nations warned on Monday that 800,000 people may flee Sudan amid intensive fighting by rival military factions,battles that Canada's ambassador to the country said left his staff frightened and trapped for days in the capital.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of battles since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.

Abdou Dieng, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in Sudan,said on Monday that the humanitarian crisis in the country was turning into a "full-blown catastrophe," and the exodus to neighbouringcountries raisesthe risk of a "regional spillover effectof the crisis."

The top UN official in Sudan, VolkerPerthes, warnedof a "major humanitarian crisis" and noted thatpeople were running out of food and fresh water in Khartoum andthat the fighting has damaged water systems.

WATCH |Canadian ambassador says fighting erupted without warning in Sudan:

Canadian ambassador feared for his life while helping people escape Sudan

1 year ago

Duration 2:06

Canadian Ambassador Philip Lupul has been posted to a number of warzones, but the violence in Sudan had him fearing for his life like never before. Now safe in Kenya, he described how the conflict took him and many others by surprise.

Canadian ambassador Philip Lupul, speaking from Nairobi on Monday,said his staff were trapped for eight days by non-stop fighting in the centreof Khartoum,the heart of the conflict zone. Local staff told of shrapnel falling in their yards and bullets piercing their homes, he told CBC News.

"It was a very intense experience ...for myself and my staff, there was a lot of fear," he said from Kenya.

'A complete tragedy'

"The current conflict is a complete tragedyand really devastating for the people of Sudan," saidLupul.

Hesaid a lot ofprogress had been made in gettingSudan back on track to a democratic transition when the conflict began.

An October 2021 military coup derailed Sudan's short-lived transition to democracy, but in recent months, internationally backed negotiations had revived hopes for a shift to a civilian-led, democratically elected government.

"It's all fallen apart unfortunately," said Lupul.

"And the real victims are the ordinary people of Sudan who were not in good shape to begin with. Something like 15or 16 million people in Sudan were dependent on humanitarian assistance prior to the conflict. So this conflict is going to mean a real tragedy for them and for many other Sudanese."

Jamila, a woman still in Khartoum with her family, is only eating one meal a day because so little food is available. She said RSF troops are stationed in front of their house and refuse to leave.

"The sound of fighting is in our ears all day," she said.

Vast numbers of refugees strainssystem

Egypt said 40,000 Sudanese havecrossed its border, while others have gone to Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia, or journeyed over the Red Sea on evacuation boats.

Some internally displaced Sudanese are congregating in hubs such as Atbara northeast of Khartoum while they work out plans or head for the Egypt and Chad borders.

More than 70,000 South Sudanese refugees who had been living in Khartoum have fled to the country's neighbouring White Nile province, settling in already overcrowded camps, said Mustafa Amr Abarou, a spokesperson for the Sudanese refugee agency.

At least 10 trucks of people fleeing Khartoum continue to arrive daily, straining the agency's abilities, he said. Sudan hosts more than 1.3 million refugees, including 800,000 from South Sudan, according to the UN figures.

Sudanese venturing onto the streets at home have described scenes of desolation.

"We saw dead bodies. The industrial area that was all looted. We saw people carrying TVs on their backs and big sacks looted from factories," said Khartoum resident Mohamed Ezzeldin.

Many fear for their lives in the power struggle between the army chief and RSF head, who had shared control of the government after a 2021 coupbut fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.

At least 528 people have been killed and 4,599 wounded, the Health Ministry said. The United Nations has reported a similar number of dead but believes the real toll is much higher.

WATCH |Canada halts airlifts from Sudan:

Canada halts airlifts from Sudan

1 year ago

Duration 2:25

Canada has suspended its evacuation operation at a Khartoum airfield after a ceasefire unravelled and violence escalated, but Canadians are still stranded in Sudan and escape options are limited.

Foreign governments have pulled out their citizens over the past week in a series of operations by air, sea and land, though several countries have ended efforts.

Those remaining face hardship and danger.

"I show up to work for two or three hours then I close up because it's not safe," said Abdelbagi, a barber in Khartoum who said he had to keep working as prices were rising.

Hospitals under siege

Many hospitals in the capital remained out of service or inaccessible because of the fighting, while others have been occupied by the warring factions, particularly the RSF, saidAtiya Abdalla Atiya, secretary of Sudan'sDoctors' Syndicate, which is tracking civilian causalities.

More than two-thirds of hospitals in areas with active fighting are reported to be out of service, with fighters looting the dwindling supplies.

The UNand other aid organizations have cut services, though the World Food Programsaid it was resuming operations in more secure areas on Monday after staff were killed early in the war.

The UNfears for the war's impact both on Sudan and the broader region, said Martin Griffiths, a senior official for humanitarian and emergency relief matters, warning the country was at "breaking point."

"The scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented," said Griffiths, who will visit Sudan on Tuesday. Agencies are importing supplies through Port Sudan, but need security guarantees to take them on to Khartoum.

Ceasefire violations continue

Both sides said on Monday they were making progress without commenting directly on the ceasefire violations. They alsoagreed on Sunday to extend amuch-violated truce by 72 hours.But airstrikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.

Talks on a sustained ceasefire could take place in either Saudi Arabia or South Sudan, said the UN'sPerthes, speaking from Port Sudan. He said the former may be easier logistically,though each side would need safe passage through the other's territory.

"That is very difficult in a situation where there is a lack of trust," he said.

WATCH |Sudan an international story of democracy, blood and gold:

Sudan: an international story of democracy, blood and gold | About That

1 year ago

Duration 10:29

How did a country on the cusp of a civilian-led democracy end up in turmoil? Andrew Chang takes a deep dive into how some of the worlds foremost military superpowers are picking sides by exploiting Sudans natural wealth and adding to the bloodshed.

The army said it had cut RSF's combat effectiveness by half and stopped it from trying to reinforce its positions in the capital. The RSF said it still controls main locations of Khartoum and was itself beating back army reinforcements.

News agencies could not verify either side's claims.