On Monday, May 15, MAP also took part in the “Rally Calling for Peace in Sudan and Protection of Sudanese Refugees in Korea” held in front of UNHCR Republic of Korea.
This civil war broke out when a struggle for power began among the forces that seized power in the 2021 coup. As a result, 25 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population, are counted as needing humanitarian relief and protection, and the situation is extremely urgent, with the treatment of 50,000 malnourished children who need care having been interrupted.
At this rally, the Sudanese Refugee Community in Korea and the Korea Refugee Rights Network (KORIN), to which MAP belongs, opposed the civil war in Sudan and urged the Korean government to grant humanitarian stay permits to Sudanese refugees staying in Korea who cannot return to their home country because of the internal conflict.
Civil society’s continued attention and support are needed.
Below is the statement from the rally.
Statement of the Sudanese Refugee Community in Korea, May 15, 2023
The situation in Sudan as reported by us, Sudanese refugees in Korea
We urge the attention of UNHCR:
As you know, the world has witnessed the ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. As a result, according to UN reports, many civilians have died and about 4 million people have been displaced, including 100,000 who have fled to neighboring countries. The war has destroyed infrastructure and service institutions, including hospitals, and people have been trapped in their homes by the shortage of food, water and medicine. All diplomatic missions, human rights organizations and foreigners have left Sudan for safety reasons. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported that 80% of hospitals in Sudan have stopped providing services.
Last year the UN had already predicted that famine would soon threaten Sudan, because two thirds of the Sudanese people depend on humanitarian aid. The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also classified travel to all regions of Sudan as a level 4 alert, as stated by the Korean ambassador to Khartoum, Lee Ki-seok, which shows how serious the situation is.
According to the UN report, the treatment of 50,000 malnourished children has been interrupted because of the violence of the ongoing war, and there is also a shortage of medicine for people with chronic diseases. The current situation in Sudan that we face is one that the Immigration Office and the esteemed Ministry of Justice have already disbelieved and rejected, but it is the natural and expected result of earlier warnings.
Therefore, the Korean Ministry of Justice should consider the humanitarian situation faced by Sudanese refugees, and the death, displacement and urgent flight to neighboring countries that their homeland and families are facing. We, Sudanese refugees in Korea, affirm our right to resolve our situation, and we demand equal treatment and opportunities for work and education, as in every other country. We ask the Korean judicial institutions and government to listen to our voices and to respond with empathy and support.
We express our thanks to all citizens who have shown interest in this issue.
Thank you.
Sudanese Refugee Community in Korea.
