Food aid for residents of Zamzam camp in North Darfur. UN sounds alarm: Sudan on brink of full-scale famine Humanitarian aid
As a result of 20 months of military action, which is being carried out “with clear disregard for international humanitarian law”, millions of people in Sudan are at risk of starvation, and today the UN is calling the humanitarian situation in this country “the largest food crisis in the world”.
Sudanese are experiencing unimaginable suffering
This was stated by Edem Wosornu, a representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), speaking to the Security Council on Thursday on behalf of the head of OCHA, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.
Wosornu described the deplorable situation in which the Sudanese find themselves – violence, including sexual violence, destruction, disease, lack of communication, mass displacement within the country and beyond its borders. “Meanwhile, the volume of humanitarian aid reaching those in need is only a small part of what is needed,” the rapporteur noted.
Combat operations and humanitarian aid
She spoke in detail about the visit of OCHA head Tom Fletcher to the region, during which he managed to hold a number of meetings and agree on expanding assistance to the Sudanese.
Humanitarian supplies have indeed begun to arrive in Chad, where many refugees have found refuge, and elsewhere. However, the intensification of hostilities has undermined these successes. “A second World Food Programme convoy to Zamzam camp was delayed by heavy fighting, including shocking reports of repeated shelling of the camp itself, forcing thousands to flee,” Wosornu emphasized. “In recent days, there have been new reports of civilian casualties as a result of apparently indiscriminate attacks, including airstrikes and artillery shelling, in El Fasher and other areas of Darfur.”
“Incredible courage” of the Sudanese
The UN, the speaker continued, admires the “incredible courage and resilience” of the Sudanese who are forced to endure the consequences of “this senseless war.” She also said she was impressed by the dedication of humanitarian workers to their work and the generosity of communities hosting displaced persons in Sudan and Chad.
UN Appeal
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, firstly, urges all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, that is, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Secondly, Wosornou called on all Council members “to use their influence to ensure the opening of humanitarian routes – land and air, across conflict lines and borders.”
Thirdly, the international community, as the speaker stressed, must provide funding for aid projects Sudanese.
Funding Shortfall
Humanitarian organizations face a serious funding shortfall in 2024. “We call on donors to provide the $4.2 billion needed to support almost 21 million people inside Sudan next year, and the $1.8 billion needed to support 5 million people – mostly refugees – in seven neighboring countries,” an OCHA spokeswoman told the Council.