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September 11, 2024

SUDAN IT’S WORLD’S BIGGEST HUMANITARIAN DISASTER, BUT WHERE IS THE U.S. LEADERSHIP?

The Sudan civil war, now in its second year, is a power struggle between two military forces, with the civilian population of 47 million caught in the middle. At least 15,000 have died – but the number could be 10 times that. Some 11 million have been forcibly displaced. Hundreds of thousands are in famine, and half the population face acute hunger, according to the World Food Program.

But who’s leading the drive to end the conflict? U.S. friends and allies are supporting both sides in the conflict, but our next speaker says Washington is refusing to use its leverage to make them desist.

Cameron Hudson, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a longtime expert on Sudan, will address the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs on October 1.

He is the former executive director at the United States Holocaust Memorial’s Center for the Prevention of Genocide and previously served at the State Department, the National Security Council and the CIA.

The program will take place October 1 at 6 pm.

Where: this will be live-feed on the Zoom platform.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.