Sudan: Humanitarian conditions come to a head

The humanitarian situation in Sudan has reached a critical point two weeks after hostilities broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid warned this Sunday (OCHA).

In a statement, Martin Griffiths -who will travel to Sudan and the region in the next few hours- explained that the Essential goods for the survival of the population are in short supply in the most affected urban centersespecially in Khartoum, as families struggle to access water, food, fuel and other essentials.

In addition, he explained that the cost of transportation outside the most affected areas has increased exponentially, leaving the poorest and most vulnerable unable to move to safer areas.

The UN humanitarian coordinator added that access to emergency medical care, even for those injured in the violence, is very limited and that this increases the risk of an increase in preventable deaths.

Regarding mental health, especially for children and young people, he stated that it is unaffordable.

Looting of UN facilities

In addition, Griffiths pointed out that the offices and warehouses of the UN and humanitarian organizations have been repeatedly looted, depleting most of its reserves.

In this context, he stated that the United Nations and its partners do everything possible to restart the humanitarian response in the country, studying urgent ways to bring and distribute essential supplies.

Before this crisis began, in Sudan there were already 16 million people (one third of the country’s population) dependent on aid humanitarian.

Griffiths explained that the Organization has received five containers of intravenous fluids and other emergency goods in Port Sudan, where they are docked awaiting permission from the authorities for their distribution in the places that are needed.

UNHCR supports host countries

Agencies on the ground have reported that tens of thousands of people have fled Sudan to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan, where they often seek safe haven among already vulnerable communities.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) works with host governments and supports local partners in trying to meet the immediate needs of those who flee and arrive in a deplorable situation and with urgency of attention of different type.

The head of OCHA said that at the request of the General secretary António Guterres, is about to leave for the region “to explore how to provide immediate relief to the millions of people whose lives have changed overnight.

The solution is to stop the violence

“The scale and speed of what is happening in Sudan is unprecedented. We are extremely concerned about the immediate and long-term impact on all people in Sudan and the wider region,” he noted, citing Guterres.

But Regardless of the help that can be achieved, the obvious solution to this crisis is to stop the fighting, stressed.

“My message to the parties is unequivocal: Protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Guarantee the safe passage of civilians fleeing hostilities. Respect humanitarian workers, facilities, and assets. Facilitate relief operations. Respect the staff, transport and medical facilities and stop using them as shields,” concluded Maritin Griffiths.