An Inverness diplomat has described the “horrors and heartbreaks” she witnessed while helping Brits flee war-torn Sudan.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) official Grace Chun spearheaded the UK Government’s operation in Cyprus after violence erupted in Sudan last month.
The 56-year-old led the rapid deployment team in what has been described as the “longest and largest evacuation by a Western nation”, rescuing more than 2,450 people.
More than 800 people have been killed since brutal fighting broke out between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15.
Another 1.3 million civilians are estimated to have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety in other countries.
‘There were people coming in with gunshots’
Now back in the UK, Ms Chun recalled some of the “harrowing” cases she saw while in Cyprus.
“Lots of people arriving had been caught up in the violence and had had traumatic experiences,” she said. “Everybody had quite a harrowing story to tell.
“There were people coming in who had gunshot wounds or ill and infirm. Others said they were hiding for days before they could make an attempt to escape.
“The Cypriots had a doctor on hand 24/7 so that if anyone came in needing wounds treated or any kind of injury or illness, they were dealt with right away.
“We had a mum who had a baby, born by caesarean, who was just days old. And from a human perspective you cannot imagine what strength and bravery it took to get from Sudan to Cyprus under those kind of circumstances.
“There were other mums with babies who were ill, quiet and withdrawn. The difference in these children after a night of treatment and being rehydrated was amazing. They looked like different people and it was just really heartening.”
Watch: British nationals being evacuated from Sudan by UK military personnel and civil servants
Ms Chun added that her most “heart-breaking” memory is helping a woman who had seen her mother be killed in front of her.
Looking back on the operation, she is glad to have been able to offer support and kindness to this woman and others going through this feel safe and less afraid.
Ms Chun said: “At the end of the day, we got over 2,400 people out, so we will have undoubtedly saved lives as the fighting continues to rage across Sudan.”
Helping thousands of UK nationals get to safety
The Inverness mum of two has worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for more than 30 years, helping evacuate thousands of UK nationals.
She led rescue operations when the Thomas Cook travel firm collapsed and when hundreds were left stranded on a Fred Olsen cruise ship after a Covid outbreak in 2020.
Ms Chun was also involved in the 2015 evacuation of Brits from neighbouring South Sudan.
She said: “Having been involved in the evacuation from Juba in 2015, it was very sad to see us having to carry out another evacuation from that region.
“I was right at the heart of that one. I remember flying in and us evacuating a whole bunch of people. Then we went back in the next day and evacuated more.
“It’s scary describing it, but at the time you know you’ve got a job to do and you just go into humanitarian support mode and think ‘Right, let’s get these people to safety’ and that is your focus. It is very rewarding when you get people out.”
Efforts to support war-torn Sudan
The UK Government has contributed more than £250m in humanitarian support to Sudan over the past five years.
Officials also recently committed a further £5m of lifesaving aid to help those displaced from their homes by the war.
UK rapid deployment teams – like the one led by Ms Chun – were sent to Khartoum, Port Sudan and Saudi Arabian city Jeddah to support British nationals in need of help.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “I’m incredibly proud of the vital work that people like Grace are doing to help the most vulnerable in response to humanitarian crises around the globe – often in very challenging circumstances.
“People from across the UK have been at the very heart of our efforts to help people fleeing Sudan in their hour of need, and I am grateful for their tireless service and dedication.
“The UK has coordinated the longest and largest evacuation of any Western country and brought 2450 people to safety from Sudan.
“Our priority now is to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it and to continue to press for a long-term ceasefire.”
Conversation