Sudan facing dire humanitarian crisis, top UN official warns

May 16, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The situation in Sudan is dire, with widespread violence and suffering, a top United Nations official said amid concerns that the country is facing brutal violence, famine, disease, and displacement affecting almost 9 million people.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami urged urgent humanitarian aid, warning of the risk of widespread starvation and death.

Since conflict broke out between the military (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, more than 14,000 have reportedly been killed.

With just six weeks before the lean season begins, the situation is critical, Nkweta-Salami said, adding that more funding is needed to address the escalating crisis.

On April 15, 2024, donors pledged $2.1 billion in humanitarian aid for Sudan.

The top UN official, however, said the U.N.’s $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal seeking to help nearly 15 million of the 58 million people, is just 12% funded.

“Without more resources, we won’t be able to scale up in time to stave off famine and further deprivation,” she warned.

Nkweta-Salami called for unfettered access to the millions in need, urging more aid deliveries from Chad which borders Darfur, and across conflict lines.

She said food, water and medicine are desperately needed in El Fasher, North Darfur.

The official said a UN convoy with more than a dozen trucks carrying critical supplies for 120,000 people left Port Sudan on April 3, but still hasn’t reached El Fasher because of insecurity, checkpoints and delays in getting clearances.

She urged the parties engaged in fighting in and around El Fasher to step back to prevent what would be “a catastrophic impact on the civilian population.”

“And most of all, we need more engagement to end this war” and to hold the parties to the conflict accountable, ” said the UN official, adding, “The international community cannot stand by as this crisis spirals out of control, as the noose of this conflict tightens its stranglehold on the civilian population.”

At least 5 million people in Sudan are on the brink of starvation, aid agencies said.

(ST)