Sudanese individuals are pictured sitting on a bus as they traverse the Nile River on a ferry after crossing the border from Sudan, in Abu Simbel, southern Egypt, in mi-May. The United Nations is urgently calling on the international community to provide humanitarian aid for Sudan as the war continues to escalate, causing an overwhelming crisis. This comes as leaders of various United Nations humanitarian branches appeal to the warring factions to cease their fighting and seek peace.
Aug. 16 (UPI) — The global humanitarian community is urging an end to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has led to tremendous suffering for millions of people. This call came as Sudan experienced four months of violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the breakaway Rapid Support Forces. On Tuesday, leaders from various United Nations humanitarian branches appealed to both sides to put an end to the conflict and requested the international community to provide necessary funding for humanitarian aid.
“It is time for a reset,” stated 20 U.N. leaders in a statement addressed to the Sudanese people, the warring factions, and the international community.
“We demand an immediate cessation of hostilities. The people of Sudan desperately need peace and equitable access to humanitarian relief. The international community must take action today, engaging at all levels to bring Sudan back on track and put an end to this devastating war.”
According to the latest assessment by the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration, over 4.25 million people in Sudan have been displaced due to the ongoing fighting. This includes 3.2 million internally displaced individuals and close to 1 million refugees who have sought shelter in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Earlier this month, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization issued a dire warning about Sudan’s escalating food crisis. They reported that over 20.3 million people, or 42% of Sudan’s population, are currently experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. Of these, more than 6 million people are categorized as Phase 4, meaning they are in an emergency situation.
In the Tuesday statement, the U.N. leaders cautioned that the situation could further deteriorate if immediate action is not taken. Farmers are running out of time to plant crops, and medical supplies are rapidly depleting.
“The situation is spiraling out of control,” they warned.
“Each passing day of conflict robs the Sudanese people of the peace they long for, the lives they deserve, and the future they aspire to.”
Despite this critical situation, the funds provided by the international community have met less than 27% of the appeals made, leaving 19 million Sudanese people at risk. The U.N. leaders emphasized the urgent need for world leaders to step up and contribute to saving lives.
Sudan has been on the brink of war since the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir’s government in a civilian-backed coup in 2019. As the country transitioned towards democracy, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, and his deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo of the Rapid Support Forces, orchestrated another coup, leading to internal conflicts that escalated into bloodshed in the spring of this year.
To the warring factions, the U.N. leaders appealed for an end to the fighting, urging them to protect civilians and provide unfettered access for humanitarian aid.
To the Sudanese people, they assured that the humanitarian community remains committed to supporting them and has not forgotten about their plight.
“We will continue to push for access to all people in all areas of Sudan, delivering necessary supplies and essential services,” they declared.
This statement comes nearly six weeks after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the conflict in Sudan was escalating into a full-scale civil war.
