Sudan: UN relief coordinator warns over attacks on volunteers

February 26, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami is concerned over reports of attacks on volunteers working with civil society entities, including community-based groups knows as the emergency response rooms.

She said local responders in Sudan must be able to safely carry out their critical and life-saving work.

“Whether they are from the UN, non-governmental organizations or community groups, national staff and local volunteers are on the frontline of the humanitarian response in Sudan,” the UN relief coordinator said in a statement.

Nkweta-Salami further reiterated that civilians, including humanitarian workers are not a target.

The number of people displaced by the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that started on 15 April 2023 continues to increase, the UN said.

According to UN figures, about 8.1 million people fled their homes in Sudan and this includes about 6.3 million people displaced within Sudan plus another 1.8 million people who fled abroad.

The number of internally displaced persons increased by about 53,500 people over the past week, statistics from the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix show.

Additionally, some 25 million people, more than half of Sudan’s population, reportedly need humanitarian assistance, while an estimated 3.8 million children under the age of five are suffering from malnutrition.

(ST)