Conflict in Sudan: Urgent Call for Humanitarian Action and Civilian Protection

The conflict in Sudan, entering its second year, has caused severe humanitarian crises, affecting over 24 million people. UN official Edem Wosornu urged the Security Council for enhanced civilian protection and humanitarian access. Conditions in areas like North Darfur and Khartoum are worsening, with thousands displaced and facing violence. The UN seeks $6 billion to support the humanitarian response for millions in need.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, now nearing its second year, has resulted in devastating humanitarian crises, according to Edem Wosornu, a senior official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). She emphasized the urgent need for improved protection for civilians and unimpeded humanitarian access during a briefing to the UN Security Council. The violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has caused immense suffering, forcing 24.6 million people into acute hunger and displacing over 12 million individuals.

Wosornu noted a significant deterioration of conditions in North Darfur and Khartoum, pointing to the ongoing assaults on civilians. In particular, Zamzam displacement camp has emerged as a critical focus, with severe famine conditions reported and humanitarian workers under threat amidst intensifying violence. Despite the Security Council’s Resolution 2739, aimed at safeguarding civilians in El Fasher, attacks persist.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has confirmed ongoing violence in Khartoum, including incidents of summary executions linked to the changing control of areas. The humanitarian landscape is further complicated by conflicts spreading to South Kordofan and North Kordofan, leading to heightened risks for civilians and hindering humanitarian efforts. Reports from White Nile state have documented serious atrocities, exacerbating the crisis.

Wosornu highlighted the necessity for robust support for humanitarian initiatives, as the recently launched 2025 humanitarian response plan seeks $6 billion to aid nearly 25 million people across Sudan. There is a call for the international community to act decisively in mitigating the crisis. Wosornu concluded with three critical requests for the Security Council, focusing on strict adherence to international humanitarian law, facilitating humanitarian access, and addressing the urgent funding requirements to support Sudan’s unprecedented humanitarian needs.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has escalated dramatically due to ongoing conflict, with millions affected by hunger, displacement, and violence. Immediate and concerted action from the international community, particularly by the UN Security Council, is crucial to ensuring civilian protection, facilitating humanitarian access, and mobilizing necessary funding to address the unprecedented needs in the region. Without swift intervention, millions continue to face dire consequences.

Original Source: news.un.org