The UN reports that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening as conflict between SAF and RSF escalates. Funding cuts threaten aid, risking millions facing food and healthcare shortages. Urgent action is needed from international donors to alleviate the looming crisis and support displaced communities.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric warned of a deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, exacerbated by intensifying conflicts between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He highlighted that cuts in humanitarian funding have worsened the situation and stressed the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian efforts for the Sudanese population.
Dujarric reported that escalating insecurity has displaced thousands of residents seeking safety, contributing to a growing internal refugee crisis. The most recent attack in North Darfur on March 3 displaced over 23,000 individuals, underscoring the dire circumstances faced by many citizens in the region.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Sudan, raised alarms about the potential suspension of humanitarian aid due to recent funding cuts, which may leave millions without necessary assistance for essential services such as food and healthcare. She emphasized that the abrupt funding suspension occurs during a critical humanitarian crisis, with half of Sudan’s population experiencing food insecurity and a spreading famine, compounded by diseases like cholera and hepatitis among displaced communities due to inadequate sanitation.
Nkweta-Salami noted that humanitarian assistance has been crucial for over 15.6 million people in Sudan in the past year but warned that the need for aid will only increase, with current funding standing at just 6.3 percent of the necessary amount. She urged foreign donors to revive their humanitarian support while appealing to other governments and charities to step forward with essential funding to sustain life-saving missions in the country.
The humanitarian situation in Sudan has been labeled one of the most severe crises by the African Union, garnering international attention as armed conflicts continue to heighten, resulting in program suspensions. Notably, in February, the UN human rights chief cautioned about a looming famine, which led the UN World Food Programme to temporarily halt food aid to a refugee camp due to escalated fighting between RSF and Sudanese forces.
In summary, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan has worsened due to escalating conflicts and significant funding cuts. Authorities stress the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate vital aid. The potential suspension of humanitarian aid could exacerbate the conditions faced by millions, emphasizing the need for increased support from the international community to address this dire situation effectively.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
