UN relief chief urges Sudan’s parties to commit to dialogue

November 22, 2023 (NEW YORK) – The United Nations emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths has called on the parties to the conflict in Sudan to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and respect commitments made during the Jeddah talks.

He said six months of war have plunged Sudan into one of the “worst humanitarian nightmares” in recent history.

Up to 9,000 people have been reportedly killed, more than 5.6 million driven from their homes and 25 million people need aid due to the conflict that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and other armed groups.

Griffiths, also the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said civilians, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan “have known no respite from bloodshed and terror”, with horrific reports of rape and sexual violence emerging continuously.

“With the number of ethnic clashes increasing, access of aid workers to the people in need is hindered due to lack of security and bureaucratic barriers,” explained the UN official.

“At least 45 aid workers have been killed or detained since 15 April – almost all of them are national staff,” he added.

According to the UN relief coordinator, only 33 per cent of the $2.6 billion required to help those in need in Sudan in 2023 has been received, amid calls for more funding.

Already, the healthcare situation in Sudan is dire as more than 70 per cent of health care facilities in conflict areas are out of service. More than 1,000 suspected cases reported.

Basic services in Sudan are crumbling while the ongoing conflict has kept 19 million children are out of school, significantly setting back their education and the country’s future.

As communities are torn apart, vulnerable people have no access to life-saving aid.

Humanitarian needs are mounting in the neighbouring countries where millions have fled.

“This cannot go on,” said Griffiths, urging the parties to uphold obligations under international humanitarian law and to recommit to dialogue at the highest levels to end this conflict.

He stressed that the time had come for them to honour the commitments made in Jeddah to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid.

“The international community cannot desert the people of Sudan,” noted the UN official, while appealing to the donors to step up their support.