The UN Children Fund (UNICEF) Egypt country office is providing emergency humanitarian assistance, in collaboration with the government and the Red Cresent Society and partners, for families and children fleeing from the ongoing fighting in the Sudan.
Khartoum, Altaghyeer: Agencies
Over 70,000 Sudanese people have fled the frighting backhome and crossed to Egypt via Argeen and Gustul crossing points from April 15 up to May 7 according to statistics released by the Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, UNHCR said.
The UN agencies, in collaboration with the Egyptian Red Cresent, provide life saving and basic relief supplies to those crossing the borders into Egypt.
UN agencies representatives and community leaders receive new arrivals in Cairo and Aswan to assess their immediate needs and see their concerns in order to put up a joint response plan.
A journey of Pain
The conflict-fleeing journey is a sort of agony that takes days and days. Nasra Hasan, a Sudanese woman who managed to make the trip with her husband and children, said they had suffered so much traveling for three days in the desert roads, feeling insecure, before reaching Aswan Province.
“We decided to save ourselves and our children from the hell of war, leaving behind everything we have” she said.
Urgent assistance
UNICEF Egypt country office is introducing emergency humanitarian assistance, in collaboration with the Egyptian government and Red Cresent and partners, for families and children who fled Sudan because of the ongoing fighting. The assistance includes drinking water, mobile WC, sanitation and sewage services as well as support for health and vaccine units.
The services also include psychological and social support to children and families at the Family Club which was set by UNICEF at the international transports terminal in Aswan, the main city on the Sudanese-Egyptian border.
Ayman Muharib, responsible for UNICEF’s Child Protection programs in Egypt, said the Club provides psychological and social support for the families and their children, with focus on raising family awareness about how to treat children in emergencies and on recreational activities.
Relief assistance for the displaced
A number of Egyptian ministries are meanwhile introducing urgent assistance for the Sudanese arriving in Egypt, in coordination with the Egyptian Red Cresent, the Sudanese Red Cresent and the International League for the Red Cross Societies.
Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Dr Nevine Al Kabbaj said her ministry works with related institutions on matters related to humanitarian, medical and social relief.
She said this includes receiving the arrivals, help finalizing their financial procedures, offering them transportation from the crossing and means of communication, along with awareness campaigns on occupational health and safety. She said they also put in place an operations room working around the clock.
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