It has been almost two years since the brutal war between the forces of the military government in Khartoum and the rapid support forces broke out, triggering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
Human rights violations have been committed on both sides and more than 30.4 million Sudanese requires urgent assistance, with displaced millions and tens of thousands of people killed. Nearly 25 million people face acute hunger.
According to the United Nations Fund for children, UNICEF, there have been growing and alarming relationships with sexual violence used to terrorize civilians.
The history of Layla
At the end of 2024, in the state of northern Sudan, armed men made their way in the house of Layla * in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, while it was alone with her children. “They stopped my son and took me to a separate car. I noticed that they were looking at my daughter in a disturbing way – she is 18 years old. They probably took me to keep her alone. “She said to UNFPA.
The fears of Layla for her daughter were a precursor of what she would later be confronted in a overcrowded prison, where she was detained for almost three weeks.
A woman, who fled a conflict to Sudan, washes clothes.
“ Unimaginable horrors ”
Saying that they brought her son back and started beating him in front of her, Layla added that they questioned her, accused her of being a spy and said her husband worked for the army.
Although the Sudanese army recently resumed Khartoum’s strategic areas, the opposition opposition opposition forces were at that time. Layla described that she was searched, beaten and detained without load.
“I have witnessed unimaginable horrors,” she said. “”When the police left, the soldiers began to violate the prisoners. They took young women to the courtyard, and all night we heard the cries of girls and women. “”
It is estimated that more than 12 million women and girls – and more and more men and boys – are at risk of attack, an increase of 80% compared to the previous year.
A growing health crisis
Since the start of the war in April 2023, the situation has worsened spectacularly, with nearly 13 million people displaced by force – nearly a third of the population – and the health system which is almost erased.
Through Sudan, UNFPA provides health and protection services on reproduction through 90 mobile health teams, more than 120 health establishments and 51 safe spaces For survivors of sexual violence.
This assistance includes clinical treatment and psychological advice following rape, sexual abuse and assault, as well as references for legal assistance and awareness of communities of the risk of sexual violence, coercion and traffic.
In a safe space supported by the UNFPA, Layla explained how she had trouble enduring the test in prison. “One day, a 16-year-old girl was brought back to the cell, bleeding strongly,” she recalls. “She came to me, hugged me and we cried together for a whole day.”
UNFPA provides reproductive health and protection services in dozens of locations in Sudan.
After nine days in prison, Layla stopped eating and drinking, in the hope of dying instead of being raped as well. Finally, becoming very sick, Layla was released.
Although Layla and the young survivor were able to find support in physical and mental health through the safe space, they are not among the majority.
According to UNFPA, There have been more than 540 attacks against health establishments reported in the past two yearsSupplies and equipment are frequently looted, and health workers, patients and ambulances are targeted with violence and intimidation.
‘More security shelters’
Maha Mahmoud, a social worker in a safe space supported by UNFPA in Dongola in the North State, said that health establishments are no longer refuges.
“”I was informed that a young woman had been raped in a maternity hospital“She told the UNFPA.” She was 18, divorced with a girl and lived with her family when the opposition forces entered her region. They took her, with many other women and raped them. »»
“She lost consciousness. When she woke up, she found herself surrounded by other girls, who were also raped. They were then left in the street. ”
The woman would later discover that she was pregnant. “She went to the safe space, where we provided her psychological support and all the necessary medical care,” said Ms. Mahmoud, adding that the woman and her baby are slowly recovering. “Since then, we have continued to help him face the trauma.”
Listen to an interview with the representation of UNFPA in the country, Argentina Matavel Piccin:
Urgent call
The UNFPA provides $ 119.6 million for its work in Sudan and an additional $ 26 million to help refugees in the country. In the state of North, the sexual and reproductive health programs of UNFPA and the safe spaces operate with funding from Canada, the European Union, Japan, Norway and Sweden.
However, unprecedented financing cuts by many leading donors throw in danger of the health and life of hundreds of thousands of women and girls.
The United States has been a crucial supporter of the people of Sudan, but the recent financing reductions will leave some 250,000 women without a genesic health services.
The training of front -line medical workers has also been interrupted and 10,000 women will lose access to safe spaces that provide medical, legal and psychosocial support.
* The name has changed for confidentiality and protection.
