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Thursday, 14 November 2024
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  • Researchers Reveal Shocking Casualty Count in Sudanese Capital

  • The report highlights challenges in documenting conflict casualties amid infrastructure collapse, communication outages, and difficulty accessing affected areas
Researchers Reveal Shocking Casualty Count in Sudanese Capital
الحرب في السودان \ تعبيرية \ متداولة

A recent study by British and Sudanese scientists revealed over 61,000 deaths in Khartoum area during the first fourteen months of the Sudanese conflict, with evidence suggesting higher actual numbers than previous statistics.

The estimates include about 26,000 deaths from severe injuries, exceeding current UN nationwide casualty counts. The research draft from the Sudan Research Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine noted that starvation and disease have become major causes of death across Sudan.

Researchers highlighted a 50% increase in Khartoum State mortality rates compared to pre-conflict national averages. The UN reports 11 million displaced persons and the world's largest hunger crisis, with about 25 million people needing aid.

Casualties are difficult to document amid ongoing conflict. Communication disruptions and limited access to medical facilities, morgues, and cemeteries have isolated millions.

Research leader Maysoon Dahab explains they used "invisible mortality monitoring" through "capture-recapture" methodology. Using data from multiple sources, they cross-referenced names across different lists to estimate total casualties.

The team gathered data through social media surveys (November 2023-June 2024), field surveys with civil society activists, and documented obituaries from Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. The recorded cases represent only 5% of estimated deaths in Khartoum State, with 7% from "intentional injuries." The study suggests other war-affected areas may have similar or worse casualties.

Levant-Agencies