Source: Yala for Sudan Team
Sudan | Urgent Crisis Update
In Al Gezira state, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have massacred and abducted hundreds of people, with over 130 women tragically taking their own lives to escape sexual violence. The RSF has recently raided more than 60 towns and villages, displacing over 45,000 people in just one week.
Famine conditions are worsening in North Darfur’s displacement camps, threatening 750,000 people with starvation. Since April 2023, over 11 million people have fled, making Sudan the world’s largest displacement crisis, with nearly 25 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Hunger and malnutrition are rampant, affecting 13 million people, including 3.7 million children under five suffering from severe malnutrition. Additionally, 26,000 civilians have been injured in the ongoing conflict.
Rahman Bashir stated, “We have seen the inequity in the use of government discretion, being responsive for the European crisis and indifferent about the struggles of the global south. For our whānau, our people, there is extreme pain in which they’ve been subjected to for over 18 months.”
Palestine | Urgent Crisis Update
Israel is moving to ban UNRWA, the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees, from operating in its controlled areas, cutting off essential aid, health, and education services. Nearly 400,000 people in northern Gaza remain besieged, deprived of food and aid for over two weeks. Every hour in Gaza, 15 people are killed—including sixchildren— 35 are injured and 42 bombs are dropped. Over 2.2 million face acute food insecurity, while nearly 1.1 million lack safe drinking water. Over 900 families have been erased from Gaza’s civil registry as the war enters its second year.
Heba Mortaja said, “As a Palestinian Kiwi, I have witnessed my people be subjected to a live streamed genocide for over a year now. New Zealand has long stood for compassion and justice, providing special category visas to innocent civilians experiencing wars in other countries. It is imperative that these values be applied for the benefit of all innocent people.”
“Grant the visas.” Our persistent calls for action have gone unanswered by the New Zealand government. These urgent circumstances underscore the critical need for immediate action to address the suffering of our Palestinian and Sudanese whanau.
We appeal to the media to support our protest and amplify awareness of this dire crisis.
Spokespersons
• Rahman Bashir
President, Sudanese Society in New Zealand
• Heba Mortaja
Member, the Palestinian Community in New Zealand
Event Details
• Date: Saturday, November 2nd
• Time: Rally at 2 PM, March at 3:15 PM
• Location: Te Komititanga Square, Auckland CBD
As we march together, we aim to raise awareness of the urgent need for compassionate immigration policies that recognize the suffering of our Palestinian and Sudanese whānau. Media representatives are strongly encouraged to attend and join us in advocating for the rights of those seeking refuge.
