The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes the Federal Government’s acknowledgement of the devastating conflict in Sudan, and the announcement of an extra $10 million in humanitarian assistance to support civilians in Sudan.
With famine conditions confirmed in El Fasher and Kadugli, and the World Food Program warning that Sudan is at risk of becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis, this assistance will help provide much needed essentials such as clean water, shelter and food.
The earmarking of aid to support victim survivors of gender-based violence is also welcomed, as reports of sexual violence being systematically used as a weapon of war emerge.
Whilst this is a welcome step forward, we urge the government to commit to creating a clear pathway to allow Sudanese nationals on Bridging, Visitor and other temporary visas to extend their stay in Australia and to allow for permanent visa pathways. Given the extensive and up-to-date knowledge of Sudanese-Australian community members both on the ground in Sudan and in supporting families here, the Australian Government would benefit from engaging with these communities and provided targeted assistance.
We also urge the government to support efforts by the international community to exert diplomatic pressures on involved parties to end this devastating conflict.
“We continue to urge the government to develop a humanitarian crisis response framework that provides a fair, equitable and consistent approach to crisis situations such as Sudan,” said RCOA Deputy CEO Adama Kamara.
