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Conference Title: One year since the outbreak of fighting in Sudan. The Struggle of People in Humanitarian Crisis and the Support Needed – From the Perspectives of Journalists, JICA and NGOs
Date: April 14, 2024
Organized by: JICA Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) Co-sponsored by
Location：Tokyo
Main Participants
Speakers and Panelists
Jun Hori / Journalist, President of 8bitNews
Mr. Wataru Imanaka / Japan International Volunteer Center, Sudan Project Local Representative, Yemen (*Online Speaker)
Kaoi Nakasa / Planning and Research Officer, JICA Sudan Office (Health Sector, Aid Coordination)
Background and Objectives
On April 15, 2023, a major military clash occurred in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.
Although the outbreak of the conflict attracted attention at the time of its occurrence, including the evacuation of Japanese nationals, a year has passed since the conflict began, and media coverage of the conflict has declined significantly, leading it to be referred to as a “forgotten conflict.
The reality is that the conflict continues to this day, and the situation is so critical that the UN Security Council meeting on March 20 indicated that approximately 220,000 children may die of malnutrition in the coming months. As of March 2024, 6.3 million people have been displaced within Sudan, 1.8 million have crossed the border, and an additional 25 million people are estimated to be unable to meet their daily food needs.
This event was intended to shed light on Sudan, which is in a critical situation but rarely reported in Japan, to discuss the “now” of Sudan from the standpoints of JICA, NGOs, and journalists, and to arouse domestic interest in the country.
Contents
Beginning with journalist Jun Hori’s past reporting experience and involvement in the region to date, JICA Planning and Research Fellow Jun Nakasa Nakasa gave an overview of the country and JICA’s assistance in Sudan. JVC’s Mr. Imanaka then took the stage online to introduce the NGO’s activities and the situation in Kadgoori, the site of the project. Photos of Sudan taken by Mr. Jun Hori were also displayed at the venue, and over 40 participants experienced the reality of the Sudan crisis by listening to the speakers’ stories along with photos from the region.
Materials
Mr. Jun Hori introducing the photo
Photo exhibition
Speakers (from left to right: Mr. Jun Hori, Mr. Imanaka, Mr. Nakasa)
© Source JICA