Crisis in Kassala: Eritrean Migration and Sudan’s Humanitarian Dilemma
In eastern Sudan’s Kassala state—a region long familiar with displacement and conflict—a converging crisis is unfolding. As fighting continues to tear through Sudan, thousands of Eritreans are arriving in refugee camps seeking sanctuary from the repressive regime at home. Yet even here, safety remains elusive.
A Convergence of Crises
Since the outbreak of renewed conflict in Sudan in 2023, the country has experienced one of the largest displacement crises in recent history, with millions forced from their homes. In Kassala, situated along Sudan’s eastern border with Eritrea, the influx of refugees has compounded an already dire humanitarian situation. Kassala’s camps, originally established to serve Sudanese internally displaced by conflict and natural disasters, now host increasing numbers of Eritreans fleeing forced conscription, political repression, and economic despair in their homeland.
Eritrean Exodus: Roots of the Migration Crisis
For years, Eritreans have risked dangerous journeys to escape a regime notorious for indefinite military conscription and harsh human rights abuses. Many leave behind lives marked by forced labor, arbitrary detention, and a pervasive culture of repression. As they cross into Sudan, these refugees carry not only the scars of trauma from their country of origin but also face a new set of challenges. In Kassala, while some find temporary relief in the relative safety of established camps, others confront risks of exploitation and forced return by agents of the Eritrean regime—as well as by criminal networks operating along the border.
Life in the Camps: Challenges and Vulnerabilities
In Kassala’s refugee camps, overcrowding, inadequate shelter, and insufficient access to essential services like food, clean water, and healthcare are everyday hardships. Humanitarian organizations report that the sheer volume of new arrivals strains an already fragile infrastructure. Moreover, recent incidents have raised alarms about the safety of Eritrean refugees in these camps. Reports from UN agencies and independent human rights groups detail cases where refugees have vanished from camps—suspected to be abducted or forcibly repatriated—and testimonies of survivors describe a climate of fear and mistrust.
The Shadow of Forced Returns and Trafficking
Complicating the crisis, multiple reports indicate that Eritrean refugees in Sudan face the threat of forced returns. Accounts suggest that, amid the chaos of war, some Eritrean civilians have been forcibly deported back to a country where their lives remain at constant risk . Alongside state-led repatriations, a parallel trade in human trafficking and smuggling has emerged along the border. Vulnerable refugees are at risk of being abducted and sold to criminal networks—which exploit them through forced labor, extortion, and even organ trafficking—a grim reminder of the region’s long history of cross-border exploitation.
Humanitarian Response and International Appeals
Despite the scale of the crisis, humanitarian aid efforts are falling short. International agencies, including the UNHCR and Médecins Sans Frontières, have called for unimpeded access to refugee camps and increased funding to address the basic needs of displaced populations in Kassala. However, with the conflict in Sudan drawing only sporadic international attention—especially as global focus shifts to other geopolitical flashpoints—the plight of Eritrean refugees remains dangerously underreported. As one UN official recently stressed, “Sudan’s crisis is one of the most acute generational challenges we face, yet it is at risk of being forgotten”.
Looking Forward
The situation in Kassala is emblematic of a larger regional crisis. Eritrean refugees, forced to flee an oppressive regime, are caught between a brutal internal conflict and predatory trafficking networks. Without a comprehensive political solution in Eritrea and a coordinated international response to Sudan’s humanitarian emergency, the cycle of displacement and exploitation is likely to persist.
For those on the ground in Kassala, the urgent need is for increased humanitarian aid, robust protection measures, and international pressure on the Eritrean government to halt forced repatriations. Only through sustained global engagement can the suffering of millions be alleviated and a pathway to durable peace forged for both Sudan and Eritrea.
About Araha
For those wishing to support humanitarian efforts, please consider donating through Araha’s EMC Relief Group 14th Annual Campaign
Araha is a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing emergency medical care, disaster relief, and support to communities affected by crises worldwide. Known for its rapid response and commitment to improving lives in conflict zones and disaster areas, Araha works closely with local partners to deliver essential aid where it is needed most.