UN announced on Friday that over half of Sudan’s population, nearly 25 million people, are in need of assistance and protection as fighting continues to rage across the country.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN’s Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, expressed that civilians have endured nearly seven months of intense conflict and an escalating humanitarian tragedy that worsens with each passing day.
“More than 6 million people have fled their homes and are displaced inside Sudan or in neighbouring countries. They are not just numbers; they are individuals whose lives have been uprooted and changed forever,” said Nkweta-Salami.
“The Statement of Commitments adopted in Jeddah earlier in the week by the parties to the conflict in Sudan marks a moment of truth for the country. We owe it to the people of Sudan to ensure that the promises made by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to protect civilians and provide unimpeded humanitarian access are kept.”
The UN official emphasized that these responsibilities encompass the safeguarding of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The UN humanitarian coordinator warned that if the conflict spreads to Al Jazirah State, Sudan’s breadbasket, it could further exacerbate hunger by affecting a larger population.
UN official highlighted the dire state of the health sector, expressing concerns that more than 70% of health facilities in conflict areas are currently non-operational.
The official also said funding was a significant challenge, noting that the UN has received slightly over one-third of the required $2.6 billion for this year’s humanitarian response.
