Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Turning Into ‘Full Blown Catastrophe’, Warns UN Official

Smoke billows over buildings in Khartoum on May 1, 2023 as deadly clashes between rival generals' forces have entered their third week. (AFP)
Smoke billows over buildings in Khartoum on May 1, 2023 as deadly clashes between rival generals' forces have entered their third week. (AFP)
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Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Turning Into ‘Full Blown Catastrophe’, Warns UN Official

Smoke billows over buildings in Khartoum on May 1, 2023 as deadly clashes between rival generals' forces have entered their third week. (AFP)
Smoke billows over buildings in Khartoum on May 1, 2023 as deadly clashes between rival generals' forces have entered their third week. (AFP)

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan warned on Monday that the humanitarian crisis in the country was turning into a "full blown catastrophe" and that the risk of spillover into neighboring countries was worrisome.

"It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan humanitarian crisis into a full blown catastrophe," Abdou Dieng, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, told a briefing of member states via video link.

Dieng added that civilians were taking refuge in parts of Sudan less affected by fighting or fleeing to neighboring countries.

"The regional spillover effect of the crisis is a serious concern," he said.

More than 800,000 people may flee Sudan as a result of fighting between military factions, including many who had already come there as refugees, another UN official said on Monday.

"Without a quick resolution of this crisis we will continue to see more people forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance," Raouf Mazou told a member state briefing in Geneva.

"In consultation with all concerned governments and partners we've arrived at a planning figure of 815,000 people that may flee into the seven neighboring countries."

The estimate includes around 580,000 Sudanese, he said, with the others existing refugees from South Sudan and elsewhere.

So far, he said some 73,000 people have already fled to Sudan's neighbors - South Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Libya.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths will visit Sudan on Tuesday, said Ramesh Rajasingham of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Griffiths was in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday to discuss the situation in Sudan, which he described as "catastrophic."

"We need to find ways to get aid into the country and distribute it to those in need," Griffiths wrote on Twitter.



Israel Kills Syrian in Damascus Countryside, Detains Several

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on June 4, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on June 4, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
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Israel Kills Syrian in Damascus Countryside, Detains Several

A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on June 4, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)
A large Syrian flag flutters above Tishreen Park in Damascus on June 4, 2025. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Israeli forces conducted an operation in southern Syria to detain several members of Hamas, the military said Thursday. 

Syria TV, a local station, reported that a force of about 100 Israeli troops stormed the southern Syrian village of Beit Jin near the border with Lebanon and called the names of several people through loud speakers who were detained. Syria TV said one person was shot dead by the Israeli force. 

The Israeli military said that the detained people were Hamas members who were planning attacks against Israel, and that they were taken to Israel for questioning, adding that its forces also found weapons in the area. The detained people were not identified. 

Since the fall of President Bashar Assad ’s government in early December, Israeli forces have moved into several areas in southern Syria and conducted hundreds of airstrikes throughout the country, destroying much of the assets of the Syrian army. 

There was no immediate comment from Hamas or Syrian authorities. 

During a visit to France last month, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said that his country is holding indirect talks with Israel to prevent hostilities from getting out of control.