International Organization for Migration (IOM) Announces 10 Million Internally Displaced, 2 Million Refugees 

 (Portland, OR) June 13, 2024 – Medical Teams International, a global health and humanitarian relief organization providing life-saving health care to people facing crisis, is expanding its vital work in Sudan. With support from key partners, Medical Teams plans to serve people in critical need in Khartoum, as well as through its ongoing presence in White Nile and Gedaref states. Medical Teams plans to reach 1,353,905 beneficiaries.  

Medical Teams is currently providing direct health and nutrition services to refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities, serving a catchment population of nearly one million people. Services include mobile healthcare, early detection and screening of acute malnutrition, nutrition surveillance, immunization, health monitoring, capacity-building, mental health support, and community training and awareness. 

 To build trust and to successfully operate its programs, Medical Teams has trained and works alongside approximately 600 community health volunteers in Sudan. They are instrumental in helping Medical Teams provide timely, critical care to children and families in camps, screening for diseases like malaria and cholera and helping to monitor cases of malnutrition. 

 “Even though 10 million people have fled their homes in Sudan, the war has created a hell that is inescapable,” said Birhanu Waka, Medical Teams Sudan Country Director. “Adequate food, clean water, health care, housing, and education are things of the past for the people of Sudan. There is widespread uncertainty about when or if those basics of life will return, and continual fear of violence spreading.” 

 “We want to thank everyone who has supported Medical Teams’ work in Sudan,” added Mike Goodwin, Interim CEO of Medical Teams International. “At the same time, we are pleading with our private partners and individual donors to give generously in response to this rapidly worsening crisis, as the global response has been a fraction of what is needed to avoid catastrophe.”  

 The hunger crisis in Sudan, now meeting the criteria for famine in some areas, is a direct result of the violence, instability, and inaccessibility caused by the war. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began on April 15, 2023 in Khartoum and quickly spread to neighboring cities and states. As a result of the ongoing conflict, approximately 70% of Sudan’s hospitals and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, along with other critical infrastructure. The situation is volatile, and capacity on the ground to deliver relief services varies across the country.  

 In response to the large influx of refugees from northern Ethiopia into eastern Sudan that began in November 2020, Medical Teams began working in Sudan in January 2021. Since then, Medical Teams has been working directly with refugee settlements and local host communities to address the unique health needs they face. Medical Teams seeks to improve quality of care and helps to build connections to and trust in the local health system. 

 To make a donation to Medical Teams, visit https://donate.medicalteams.org/sudan-crisis 

 About Medical Teams International  

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.   

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