Over 12.5 million people in Sudan have been forced to abandon their homes since the outbreak of war in April 2023. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has driven thousands to seek refuge across the border into South Sudan. In early December, the exodus intensified with at least 5,000 people crossing daily, highlighting the desperate plight of those fleeing violence.
The Joda border crossing serves as a critical entry point for displaced individuals into South Sudan. This gateway witnesses a constant flow of people escaping the ongoing hostilities. More than 110,000 individuals have arrived in Renk County since December, as per data from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The influx has overwhelmed existing resources, with 70,000 people currently residing in informal settlements like Gosfami, where basic necessities such as food and water are scarce.
To address the immediate needs of the displaced population, the South Sudanese government has established a reception area equipped with UNHCR tents. These facilities provide essential shade and emergency food supplies for those pausing their journey. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) categorizes arrivals as either refugees or "returnees," facilitating more organized processing at the checkpoint.
MSF has taken significant steps to support those affected by the crisis. They have set up a psychological support tent where children find brief moments of joy, playing with a green balloon. Rachel Daniel, an MSF worker in this tent, assists mothers with children in intensive care and addresses the psychological trauma inflicted by war. She notes that many affected individuals struggle with sleep due to their experiences.
“We talk to mothers with children in intensive care, and we also deal with the trauma of war – many cannot sleep,” – Rachel Daniel, MSF’s psychological support tent worker.
The hospital in Renk County, accommodating the influx of war-wounded patients, consists of 14 tents. Medical teams are stretched thin as they manage complex cases amid limited resources. Ajak, an MSF doctor, highlights one poignant case involving twins born prematurely in Gosfami.
“We are feeding the twins’ mother so she can produce milk, but in the end, only God can help us,” – Ajak, an MSF doctor.
These twins, Hosseini and Hasana, weighed just 1.4kg and 1.2kg respectively at birth. Their mother, Bakhita, was only seven months pregnant when she delivered them. For Bakhita, there is solace in their birth location.
“Thank God they were born in South Sudan,” – Bakhita, 22, the twins' mother.
In another instance of urgency, a five-month-old baby weighing only 2.5kg required immediate evacuation to Renk County hospital for critical medical intervention. The collaboration between IOM and MSF ensures that patients are prioritized based on their condition severity. The IOM manages "green" patients who can wait, while MSF handles more urgent "orange" and "red" cases.
Among those who have found refuge is Hamed Attaher, a technology student from the University of Khartoum. His journey reflects a common narrative of displacement and hope.
“Today, I feel like I am in a safe place,” – Hamed Attaher, a 26-year-old technology student from the University of Khartoum.
The broader humanitarian response also involves overcoming logistical hurdles. A USAid-funded transportation service designed to assist at the border had to halt operations temporarily due to an executive order from former President Trump. Despite these challenges, humanitarian workers remain committed to their mission.
The sense of shared identity among those affected by this crisis is evident.
“We are one people because we call the Sudanese side ‘North Juba’ and the South Sudanese side ‘South Juba’,” – a humanitarian worker.
For many like Amna, a 35-year-old woman who fled with her family using a donkey and cart, the journey to safety was perilous and long.
“The SAF and the RSF started fighting, so we took a donkey and a cart and left. We walked for 20 days until we reached safety,” – Amna, 35, who is making a plastic doll dance to distract her infant son, Aron.