The Canadian government needs to take urgent action to help civilians trapped in Sudan after a deadly power struggle erupted in April between the Sudanese army and a rival militia group.
That is the key message contained in an Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada and opposition leaders. The letter, which was sent today, is organized by Nest Saskatoon and Sudanese Canadians in the city.
The violence, which broke-out in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on April 15, swept across the country. People’s lives changed overnight.
Many Sudanese are trapped in the bloody conflict without passports, money or safe passage. The internet is down. Food and water are scarce. Thousands of civilians have died. Global Affairs Canada estimates more than 1.4 million people are displaced within the country and another 470,000 fled.
“We are sleepless and sick with worry,” says Saskatoon resident Ebtsam Elsheikh, who has family members trying to escape the violence in the capital city Khartoum and surrounding region. “It’s a humanitarian crisis.”
Elsheikh, a member of Nest Saskatoon and the Sudanese Association of Saskatoon, helped organize the Open Letter to the Prime Minister.
Three weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the Canadian government announced an emergency travel plan to help thousands of Ukrainians flee to Canada.
“Where is the emergency plan to help Sudanese nationals escape the violence?” Elsheikh asks.
She and the 134 other supporters of the Open Letter urge the Canadian government to implement emergency visas, a fast track refugee program and safe passage for civilians trying to flee. They also want Canada to continue to work with the international community to achieve a resolution to the conflict.
The emails for the Prime Minister and Opposition Leaders are:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre: pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca
Opposition Leader Jagmeet Singh: Jagmeet.Singh@parl.gc.ca
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