Lessons for Immigrants from the Crisis in Sudan and South Sudan
Summary of the Crisis at the Sudan-South Sudan Border
At the Joda border crossing between Sudan and South Sudan, thousands of people—young and old, refugees and returnees—are fleeing the violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Many arrive on foot or with donkeys pulling carts loaded with their few remaining possessions.
Since the war in Sudan broke out in April 2023, over 12.5 million people have been displaced, with at least 5,000 people crossing into South Sudan daily in December 2024. Many of the arrivals are South Sudanese returnees who had previously fled their homeland due to civil war but now find themselves forced back due to the crisis in Sudan.
In response, humanitarian organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the UNHCR are providing critical aid at makeshift settlements and hospitals. The crisis has led to the expansion of informal settlements and overwhelmed medical facilities, where thousands of displaced people struggle with malnutrition, lack of clean water, and war-related trauma.
However, international support has been unstable, with funding cuts—including a USAID freeze imposed under Donald Trump’s administration—limiting critical services like transportation and psychological support for refugees. Despite these challenges, humanitarian workers and local communities continue to provide assistance, offering food, medical care, and psychological aid to those in desperate need.
For millions of refugees worldwide, home is a moving target—a place that shifts with war, opportunity, and survival. The current displacement crisis at the Sudan-South Sudan border is a painful reminder that migration is rarely a choice, but a necessity. As thousands flee conflict, we can draw lessons from their resilience, their struggles, and the systems that either support or fail them.
Amna, centre, a refugee from Sudan, is in hospital with her son, Aron. They walked for 20 days to reach safety after fighting broke out in the city of Sennar.
📷 Photo credit: Diego Menjíbar Reynés
1. War and Crisis Often Force Migration
Many immigrants and refugees have personal or family histories shaped by war. The 12.5 million Sudanese people displaced since 2023 are not much different from the millions of Afghans, Syrians, Ethiopians, and Ukrainians who have fled their homelands in search of peace. Their journeys tell us something crucial: migration is often about survival, not ambition.
Whether you are an immigrant who voluntarily moved to a new country for better opportunities or a refugee forced to flee, remember that migration is not a betrayal of your homeland. Instead, it is often the only way to protect your future and your family.
Bakhita, who is in the paediatric tent at Renk Civil hospital with her 25-day-old premature twins, Hosseini and Hasana.
2. A Helping Hand Can Make the Difference
At the Joda border crossing, humanitarian workers provide food, shelter, and medical care, yet resources are stretched thin. One refugee mother, Bakhita, gave birth prematurely in an informal settlement. Her twins, born at just 1.2 and 1.4 kg, are alive today because of the basic medical support provided by MSF.
For immigrants in new countries, the lesson is clear: the right support system—whether from organizations, communities, or legal advocates—can determine survival and success. That’s why organizations like Amba Law exist—to ensure that no one has to navigate their journey alone.
A doctor from MSF attends to a mother and her daughter in the paediatric tent outside Renk hospital. Fourteen tents have been erected in the hospital’s grounds to make space for an influx of war-wounded patients.
3. Borders Do Not Erase Shared Histories
For many crossing into South Sudan, it is a return home. As one humanitarian worker noted, 'We are one people,' referring to the deep cultural ties between Sudan and South Sudan. The idea that borders divide people is often a political construct—many immigrants still feel deeply connected to their homeland despite legal barriers.
This lesson applies to first-generation immigrants struggling with identity: you do not have to choose between where you came from and where you are now. You belong to both. Build a home where you are, but never forget the roots that shaped you.
The entry point for refugees from Sudan to South Sudan. In the background is the border. In December, more than 5,000 people crossed this point each day.
📷 Photo credit: Diego Menjíbar Reynés / The Guardian
4. Funding and Politics Shape Refugee Support
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan-South Sudan is worsened by funding cuts, such as those imposed by the Trump administration, which temporarily halted essential transportation services at the border. This is a reminder that policies in wealthy countries have real consequences for immigrants and refugees worldwide.
For those living in the U.S., this means paying attention to immigration policies, funding for refugee support, and legal protections. If you are a refugee or immigrant, advocacy matters—not just for yourself, but for those still on their journey.
Final Thought: The Strength to Keep Moving
The story of Hamed Attaher, a 26-year-old Sudanese technology student who has been traveling for over a year to escape war, represents the unbreakable spirit of displaced people. As he boards a truck to Juba, making a victory sign with his hand, he reminds us that migration is not just about loss—it is about hope.
If you are an immigrant or refugee, know this: you are not alone, and your journey—no matter how difficult—has purpose. Like those crossing into South Sudan today, your resilience will shape your future and the generations to come.
Based on the article" “Young, old, refugees and returnees: thousands fleeing violence cross border into South Sudan”, by By Èlia Borràs in Renk
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/17/south-sudanese-border-war-in-sudan-joda-border-crossing
Photography by Diego Menjíbar Reynés