UN decries attacks on humanitarian workers in Sudan
June 11, 2024 (NEW YORK) –. The United Nations has expressed concerns over the killing of humanitarians in Sudan after a sixth aid worker was killed on Tuesday.
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres said the ongoing clashes in and around El Fasher are taking a grim toll on humanitarian workers and operations.
This came after an aid worker for Relief International in Darfur died due to complications from a bullet wound sustained while returning to the Zamzam displacement camp, after transporting a patient to El Fasher Maternity Hospital.
The UN Humanitarian Affairs agency (OCHA) called for protection of aid workers.
Six children were killed and many more injured as violence escalates in El Fasher.
According to the UN Children Fund (UNICEF), thousands of children, including those living in large displacement camps, are trapped in the middle of the increased fighting and are not able to reach safety.
The agency has, however, appealed to all the parties to immediately deescalate the situation, allow the safe and voluntary movement of civilians, and ensure the protection of civilians, including children and women and civilian objects.
On the other hand, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said three trucks carrying core relief items had reached North Darfur from Chad and thus supplies are being distributed to more than 1,100 families in two localities near the border.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it distributed nearly 20 metric tonnes of emergency health supplies to 18 health facilities and 5 stabilization centres in North Kordofan State, stressing that this vital assistance will meet the emergency and primary healthcare needs of displaced people and host communities.
The agency has also managed to reach South Kordofan’s Abu Jubayhah region for the first time this year to deliver emergency health supplies.
The deputy spokesperson of the Secretary General, Farhan Haq said the UN mission in Abyei (UNISFA) completed the establishment of a year-round base in Rumamier as part of their efforts to strengthen security and enhance the protection of civilians in the southern part of the disputed oil-producing area.
The camp, he said, will enable the mission to maintain a continuous presence in the area, with the goal of enhancing security for the local community.
Rumamier has faced attacks in the past, but impassable roads during the rainy season had previously limited operations to the dry season. The presence of peacekeepers will enhance the mission’s ability to address security challenges, including making efforts to deter activities by armed people in the area.
(ST)