As Sudan's army advances against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum, optimism for stability grows. However, local relief workers fear for their safety amidst potential reprisals. Volunteers from Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) have led vital humanitarian efforts since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, providing essential services. Unfortunately, they face severe risks, including arrests and killings, due to their democratic stances and the ongoing violence between rival forces. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, exacerbating a significant humanitarian crisis, with ERR members particularly vulnerable in this situation.
Every time the army recaptures an area, they start to target civilians and the humanitarian volunteers. This is why we are all so frightened, said Ahmed.
Local volunteers like Ahmed are members of Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), grassroots networks that have led the humanitarian response since Sudan erupted into war in April 2023.
Despite their vital humanitarian role, ERR workers face arrests, kidnappings and extrajudicial killings from both sides in the conflict.
The war between the two sides has killed tens of thousands of people and generated the largest humanitarian crisis in the world by most measures.
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