Alarm raised as 100,000 Sudanese flee to Libya via Sahara Desert

Tens of thousands of desperate Sudanese refugees are fleeing violence in Sudan for the relative safety in war-torn Libya, where an emergency situation has been declared, NGOs have said.

Around 96,000 refugees from Sudan have reached Libya since war broke out in April 2023, most making the treacherous journey via the parched landscape of the Al-Kufra region, where thousands of women and children require urgent medical and humanitarian support.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis for these refugees, who have little or no supplies, announcing an emergency response to help  nearly 100,000 Sudanese in Libya with 2,500 to 3,000 more people expected to reach the region daily in the coming months.

"People from Sudan have faced unimaginable trauma whilst fleeing conflict. They arrive in southern Libya severely traumatized, malnourished and often needing medical care," said Jared Rowell, Country Director for IRC Libya, in a statement.

"Our teams have reported that large numbers of families, along with unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence, are arriving in Libya. This situation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive protection response."

The IRC has supported more than 17,000 Sudanese refugees - 58 percent of whom are women and girls -  in Libya through vital medical services but say they need more assistance to cope with the growing numbers.

War between the Sudanese military and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has wreaked havoc across Sudan with civilians paying the biggest price of the conflict, described by NGOs as one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.

More than half the Sudanese population is experiencing crisis levels of hunger displacing 12 million people and forcing around two million to seek refuge in neighbouring countries with 600,000 arriving in Chad over the past year.

Owing to the dangers and disruption caused by the conflict, finding an accurate death toll from the war is impossible but between 15,000 and 150,000 people are believed to have been killed during the 16-month war.

In parts of Darfur, which has experienced some of the worst bouts of violence, people there could soon face the most severe level of hunger according to a UN categorisation.

"We call this stage catastrophe," the UN said.

A review committee confirmed last week famine conditions in Northern Darfur, the IRC said, meaning the situation in Sudan is likely to gravely deteriorate further.

The IRC is now urging the international community to increase aid to Sudan and neighbouring countries, to prevent famine and a worsening humanitarian crisis. 

There have also been urgent efforts by the international community to stop the violence, which shows no signs of abating.