The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, warned that “time is running out” as famine, disease and war are closing in on the people “and there is no end in sight.” conclude”.
“The international community cannot stand by as this crisis spirals out of control, as the noose of this conflict tightens its grip,” she told journalists at United Nations Headquarters in New York. for civilians”.
Clashes in Darfur
Sudan’s army and a rival army known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been fighting for more than a year.
Ms. Nkweta-Salami paid particular attention to the escalating conflict in El Fryer, the capital of North Darfur state, where clashes over the weekend are said to have caused many casualties and displacement.
She warned that “if the parties do not retreat from the brink”, The consequences would be devastating for the 800,000 people there.
Meanwhile, desperately needed humanitarian aid cannot enter the city.
More than a dozen trucks loaded with vital supplies for 120,000 people who departed from the coastal city of Port Sudan on April 3 have yet to arrive at El Fasher due to insecurity and delays in customs clearance at checkpoints. .
Death, destruction, displacement
“The fighting in El Fryer is another tragic example of the terrible impact of this conflict on civilians,” she said.
United Nations agencies continue to respond to the devastation in Sudan, where thousands of people have died, homes and civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and Horrible crimes have been committedincluding rape, torture and ethnically motivated violence.
About 18 million people are hungry and at least 5 million are on the brink of famine.
Sudan is currently the world’s largest displacement crisis. Some nine million people have been forced to seek shelter, whether elsewhere in the country or across the border.
‘A perfect storm’
Most Sudanese today do not have access to health care and services Whole generations are missing out on learning opportunities. UN agencies have recently warned that famine is approaching and the window for action is rapidly closing.
“We have just six weeks left before the lean season begins, when food becomes scarcer and more expensive,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami said.
Furthermore, two other deadlines are approaching: the start of the rainy season, making it even more difficult to reach those in need, and the end of the planting season, which could fail unless seeds are delivered to farmers in time. .
“Briefly, The people of Sudan are in the path of an increasingly dangerous perfect storm,” she warned.
Emphasizing the United Nations’ commitment to stay and deliver in the country, she noted that diplomatic efforts continued around the clock to bring the parties to the negotiating table to “silence the guns”.
‘We need to act now’
“Once that is achieved, the United Nations stands ready to increase support for recovery and reconstruction,” she said.
However, until then, Humanitarian action requires unrestricted access to reach those in need, wherever they are. Financial support is also vital as the $2.70 humanitarian appeal to support their activities is only 12% funded. Ultimately, greater participation is needed to end the war.
“Its time to increase movement, increase attention, and increase resources,” she said. “Time is running out. We need to act now.”
