David Lammy warns against neglecting the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, now in its 21st month, urging international focus and assistance. Nearly four million have fled and over 24 million face food insecurity. Despite the severity, Sudan has not received the same media attention as other global conflicts. Lammy advocates for an end to perceived hierarchies of suffering in global crises and calls for a united international response to aid Sudan.
David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, has emphasized that the ongoing civil war in Sudan, now lasting 21 months, should not be overlooked in favor of other global conflicts. He warned that millions are suffering and expressed concern that the humanitarian crisis will morph into one of the largest catastrophes of our time. Nearly four million people have already fled Sudan, with over 15,000 lives lost since the conflict began in April 2023.
Despite the increasing severity of the humanitarian crisis, Sudan lacks the global media focus that conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine have garnered. During a three-day visit to the region, Mr. Lammy toured a refugee camp in Chad to examine how aid organizations are addressing the crisis. He criticized the discerning focus on specific conflicts, stating, “There should be no hierarchy of conflicts, but sadly much of the world acts as if there is one.”
The civil war erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, initiated two years after a coup in 2021. Key figures in this conflict are General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who are fighting for control of the nation’s resources. Millions of refugees have migrated to neighboring nations such as Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, while more than 24 million individuals face acute food insecurity, according to United Nations reports.
Mr. Lammy also condemned Russia for vetoing a ceasefire resolution led by the UK at the UN Security Council, despite widespread support for the resolution. He praised neighboring nations, particularly Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan, for their efforts to address the humanitarian crisis. Lammy plans to convene international foreign ministers in the UK this Spring to enhance peace efforts in Sudan.
Furthermore, the situation in Sudan is becoming more dire with the spread of diseases such as cholera due to a lack of functioning healthcare facilities. Ethnic violence has surged, particularly against the Zaghawa and Fur communities in North Darfur. Reports indicate that drone attacks have killed approximately 120 civilians and injured over 150 in the city of Omdurman recently.
The UK government has committed £226.5 million to provide essential aid, including emergency food and clean drinking water, to nearly 800,000 displaced individuals in Sudan. Mr. Lammy insisted that, “The world cannot continue to shrug its shoulders. There can be no hierarchy of suffering. We cannot forget Sudan.”
The article discusses the urgent humanitarian crisis in Sudan amid ongoing civil war, highlighting the need for international attention and aid. David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, has called for global efforts to address the situation as millions suffer and the conflict continues to escalate. The lack of media coverage in comparison to other global conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine is underscored, prompting a discussion on the perceived hierarchy of suffering in international crises.
In summary, David Lammy’s statements underscore the critical situation in Sudan, urging the international community to prioritize aid and resolution efforts. The civil war’s devastating impact on the Sudanese population necessitates immediate attention, with millions affected and fleeing the conflict. The British government’s commitment to support those in need highlights an essential moral obligation to assist those suffering, regardless of the visibility of their plight on the global stage.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
