G7 urged to act decisively as millions face starvation in Gaza and Sudan

June 12, 2024 (NEW YORK) – Martin Griffiths, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, has called on G7 leaders to take immediate and decisive action to prevent mass starvation in Gaza and Sudan.

Humanitarian aid efforts in Sudan face a critical funding gap, with only $432 million (16%) secured out of the $2.7 billion required to provide essential assistance to 14 million people, according to UNHCR Information Director William Spindler announced last Friday.

In his statement to the G7 leaders who meet in Rome on Thursday, Griffiths highlighted that in Sudan at least five million people are also at risk, with communities in over 40 hunger hotspots on the verge of famine.

He highlighted that conflict, restrictions, and lack of funding are hindering aid delivery in both regions. While humanitarian aid is crucial, it cannot resolve the underlying conflicts. He urged G7 nations to leverage their political influence and financial resources to enable aid access and mobilize substantial funding to sustain the response.

Crucially, Griffiths called for an end to the fuelling of war machines that are starving civilians in Gaza and Sudan. He emphasized the urgent need for diplomacy to restore the futures of millions of people, with the G7 holding the key to achieving this.

Griffiths stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We cannot afford to lose even a minute.” He urged the G7 to prioritize diplomacy to resolve the conflicts and prioritize the well-being of civilians over fuelling the war machines that are causing widespread suffering.