UN official condemns attack on civilians in North Darfur
July 29, 2024 (AL FASHER) – The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami has condemned Saturday’s “indiscriminate” attack at a hospital and livestock market in Al Fasher city of North Darfur State.
At least 97 civilians were reportedly killed or injured in the, local authorities said.
“I am deeply saddened by these horrific attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, apartments and markets. Civilian infrastructures should never be a target and are protected under the international humanitarian law,” said Nkweta-Salami.
“The United Nations in Sudan strongly condemns these indiscriminate attacks and extends our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.”
The incident in Al Fasher reportedly caught many civilians by surprise as the town had experienced relative calm for about two weeks, enabling markets to reopen and many families to resume their livelihoods. Resumption of livelihoods and other economic activities, unimpeded humanitarian access, and upscaling of humanitarian funding are critical for Sudan to avert the looming threat of famine.
Sudan, according to the UN, currently faces the worst levels of acute food insecurity in its history, with more than half of its population – 25.6 million people – in acute hunger. More than 8.5 million people face emergency levels of hunger (IPC 4), while more than 755,000 people are in catastrophic conditions (IPC 5) in Greater Darfur, South and North Kordofan, Blue Nile, Al Jazirah and Khartoum.
More than 18,800 people have been killed and over 33,000 injured since the conflict broke out in April 2023, according to humanitarian partners. Over 10 million people have fled their homes, and this includes more than 5 million children – and over 2 million people who have crossed into neighbouring countries.
“At this moment when partners are racing against time and are doing everything they can to stave off a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe, I call on parties to stop the fight and to do everything possible to protect civilians, allow them free movement and to go about their daily lives,” said Nkweta-Salami.
Between January and May, humanitarian partners have reportedly reached over 7.1 million people with humanitarian assistance, despite challenges on ground.
“I am urging donors to urgently step up to disburse their commitments and identify new funding if humanitarians are to stand a chance at preventing a large-scale famine from taking hold,” stressed Nkweta-Salami, adding that the Sudan humanitarian appeal, which is seeking $2.7 billion, is just 32 percent funded.
(ST)