Urgent Call for Action on Sudanese Humanitarian Crisis as Conflict Escalates

The UN Security Council was informed about the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan due to ongoing conflict between military factions. Edem Wosornu from OCHA highlighted severe food shortages, displacement, and a breakdown in health services affecting millions. The briefing included urgent calls for enhanced protection of civilians, unrestricted humanitarian access, and increased international funding to address the escalating humanitarian needs.

The Security Council was briefed by Edem Wosornu, a senior official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), regarding the dire situation in Sudan amidst ongoing conflict. She emphasized the urgent need for the Council to enhance the protection of civilians and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access as the violent clashes between rival military factions near a second year mark.

Wosornu described the devastating consequences of nearly two years of warfare, which has subjected approximately 24.6 million individuals to acute hunger and resulted in over 12 million people being displaced. Notably, 3.4 million of these individuals have sought refuge across borders, while health services have collapsed, leading to millions of children being unable to attend school and a rise in sexual violence.

Highlighting alarming conditions, particularly in North Darfur and Khartoum, she pointed to ongoing attacks on civilians and an escalating humanitarian crisis within displacement camps like Zamzam. Severe food shortages persist, with satellite images confirming the use of heavy weaponry and significant destruction of market facilities in these areas.

Wosornu reported continuous fierce fighting affecting civilians in Khartoum and outlined the grave human rights violations occurring, including summary executions verified by the UN human rights office. Furthermore, conflict has spread into southern Sudan, particularly North and South Kordofan, exacerbating risks to civilians and complicating humanitarian operations.

As part of efforts to address the humanitarian emergency, Wosornu announced the launch of the 2025 humanitarian response plans for Sudan and neighboring regions, seeking $6 billion to aid nearly 25 million people. She underscored the necessity for the international community, especially Security Council members, to actively mitigate this crisis and support humanitarian needs.

Summarizing her presentation, Wosornu made three key requests: First, she urged the Security Council and influential member states to enforce compliance with international humanitarian law. Second, she stressed the critical need for implementing commitments to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access. Finally, she highlighted the urgent requirement for increased international funding to meet Sudan’s unprecedented humanitarian needs.

The briefing by UN humanitarian official Edem Wosornu underscores the critical and worsening situation in Sudan, characterized by severe humanitarian crises due to prolonged conflict. With millions facing acute hunger and displacement, and ongoing violence exacerbating the conditions, the international community must act decisively. The calls for adherence to humanitarian law, unfettered access for aid, and substantial funding are essential steps needed to alleviate suffering in the region.

Original Source: news.un.org