General Assembly President calls for collective action on Sudan as crisis deepens
He spoke at a National Assembly meeting convened after Russia used its veto in Security Council earlier this month.
The negative vote by the Council’s permanent membership prevented the adoption of a draft resolution aimed at strengthening measures to protect civilians and increase humanitarian access across Sudan.
The country has been in free fall since the brutal power struggle broke out last April between rival armies – Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Across the country, more than 11.8 million people have been forced to flee their homes, according to data maintained by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR. More than 3.1 million of them have sought shelter in neighboring countries, sparking a regional crisis.
Peace, common responsibility
Council President Yang reiterated the shared responsibility of the Security Council and the General Assembly to work cooperatively to protect peace and enhance collective security.
He expressed “deep concern” about the increasing use of the veto in the Council since 2022, referencing General Assembly resolution 77/262.
That resolution, among others, authorized the President of the General Assembly to convene a meeting of the 193-member body to discuss the situation under which the veto was invoked.
“This alarming trend once again highlights the urgent need for the General Assembly to proactively address critical peace and security issues as the Security Council finds itself paralyzed and unable to complete its core mission”.
Crisis escalates in Sudan
Mr. Yang drew attention to the deteriorating situation in Sudan, where the 19-month conflict has left nearly 80% of health centers in affected areas non-functioning and the humanitarian toll is increasing. increased due to reports of human rights violations, including sexual violence.
“This suffering must end,” he said, calling for immediate dialogue, an end to hostilities and sustainable conflict resolution.
He also called on the international community not to let the crisis “fade away” amid other global conflicts.
“It is equally tragic, equally urgent and it demands action. I call on the Security Council to increase its responsibility and fulfill its mandate of maintaining international peace and security.”
A WFP humanitarian convoy departs from Port Sudan to deliver life-saving food aid to conflict-affected communities.
United Nations humanitarian efforts
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that aid efforts continue despite enormous challenges.
World Food Program (WFP) is delivering vital supplies to Zamzam camp in North Darfur, where famine was declared nearly four months ago. A convoy arrived last Friday with vital food assistance after entering Sudan through the Adre border crossing.
The second convoy en route to Zamzam from Port Sudan traveled 1,400 kilometers (about 870 miles) in two weeks, facing rough terrain, armed checkpoints and conflict zones.
“Now it is 300 km from Zamzam. The last part of this long and dangerous journey is the most dangerous and unsafe,” UN spokesman Farhan Haq told journalists at a regular press conference at UN Headquarters in New York. .
Eat peanut shells to survive
“Families in Zamzam have had to resort to extreme measures to survive because food is so scarce. They were eating crushed peanut shells commonly used as animal feed – and across the camp, parents were mourning the deaths of malnourished children,” Mr Haq added.
Furthermore, another WFP convoy is en route to Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan from Port Sudan in two weeks.
Mr Haq said the trucks would leave Kosti in White Nile state in the coming days for the final leg of their journey to locations in South Kordofan, which had received little or no assistance since the start of the campaign. war begins in April 2023.
Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sent additional protective and reproductive health supplies to Kassala and Gedaref, where people fleeing fighting in Al Jazirah (also spelled Gezira) state have arrived.
These supplies will support safe childbirth and clinical management of rape and are sufficient to meet the needs of 240,000 women and girls for three months.
