The international community needs to provide more attention and resources to war-torn Sudan, where millions of people are “trapped in a hell of brutal violence,” says UN aid official in Sudan. top official said on Wednesday.
UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan Clementine Nkweta Salami warned that “time is running out” as starvation, disease and fighting loom over the population and “there is no end in sight”.
“The international community cannot stand by as this crisis spirals out of control, as the nooses of this conflict tighten on civilians,” he told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.
conflict in darfur
Sudanese forces and rival forces known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting for more than a year.
Ms. Nkweta Salami paid particular attention to the escalation in fighting in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, where clashes last weekend reportedly resulted in numerous casualties and displacement.
She warned that “those involved must pull back from the brink.” For the 800,000 people there, the consequences would be devastating..
Meanwhile, desperately needed humanitarian supplies are unable to enter the city.
More than a dozen trucks carrying vital supplies for 120,000 people, which left the coastal city of Port Sudan on April 3, are still arriving in El Fasher due to poor security and delays at checkpoints. I haven't.
death, destruction, exile
“The fighting in El Fasher is another tragic example of the grotesque impact this conflict has on civilians,” she said.
United Nations agencies continue to respond to the devastation in Sudan. Thousands of people have been killed and homes and civilian infrastructure destroyed in Sudan. terrible atrocities were committedIncludes rape, torture, and ethnically motivated violence.
Approximately 18 million people are hungry and at least 5 million are at risk of starvation.
Sudan is currently experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis. Approximately 9 million people have been forced to flee elsewhere in the country or across borders.
“Perfect storm”
Most Sudanese currently have no access to health care. Entire generations are not educated. United Nations agencies recently warned that famine is on the horizon and the window for action is rapidly closing.
“There are only six weeks left until the lean season begins, when food becomes less available and more expensive,” Nkweta Salami said.
Additionally, two more deadlines are coming up. One is the start of the rainy season, which makes it even more difficult to reach people in need. Another is at the end of the sowing season, when seeds can fail if they are not delivered to farmers in time.
“in short, The people of Sudan are in a perfect storm that is becoming more deadly by the day.” she warned.
He underlined the United Nations' commitment to stay in the country and deliver results, noting that diplomatic efforts were ongoing around the clock to bring the parties to the negotiating table to “silence the guns.”
“We need action now.”
“Once that is achieved, the United Nations stands ready to scale up support for recovery and reconstruction,” she said.
However, until then, Humanitarians need unfettered access to reach people in need,Wherever you are. Financial support is also important, as a $2.7 humanitarian appeal to support their work is only 12 percent funded. Finally, ending the fight requires greater engagement.
“the Time to strengthen advocacy, gain attention, and increase resources,” she said. “Time is running out. We need action now.”