UN chief calls for urgent ‘humanitarian freeze’ in Sudan, as number of people die
“It’s me terrible by the money of the conflicts happening on the citizens”, said Abdou Dieng. “At least 331 people were killed across the country, including five aid workers, and nearly 3,200 have been injured.”
Clashes between troops from the national army and a powerful opposition force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been raging for the past six days, and have had a major impact on civilian life and aid work. important people are going on across Sudan.
The latest news shows that attacks, shootings and shootings continue unabated, especially in the capital Khartoum, and the UN migration agency, IOM, reported on Friday that one of its staff has become a combatant in the violence.
UN migration agency officer killed
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the death of a dedicated IOM Sudanese member this morning after a car traveling with his family south of El Obeid caught in a crossfire between two warring parties“, said the Director General, António Vitorino.
He said the man left behind a wife and a new baby, “and our team in Sudan is in mourning.”
“Them The safety and security of all IOM staff is my number one priority. We continue to work with our UN partners to update our security response”, he assured.
Three workers from the World Food Program (WFP) lost their lives in North Darfur as the military demonstration first began on Saturday.
Mr. Vitorino said it was the latest outbreak of violence forced the IOM to stop its humanitarian operations in Sudan.
IOM has been working in Sudan since 2000, responding to the acute humanitarian needs in a country where an estimated 3.7 million people are displaced”, continued the IOM head.
Some of them 15.8 million people in Sudan, a third of the population, needed humanitarian assistance before this week’s conflict began.
Food, water, health crisis
Mr Dieng said that even the agreed-upon brief pauses in the fierce fighting between the rival factions, which have ignored all calls for a ceasefire, would allow civilians to access essential food and water.
“Access to health facilities is also paramount. Many hospitals have had to close. And among those who work, widespread blackouts and lack of electricity put patients at high risk. “
Many hospitals have run out of blood and other life-saving supplies.
“Attacks on hospitals, humanitarian workers and facilities must stop,” the humanitarian chief said.
“Like us end the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid al-Fitrtime of peace and reconciliation, I call all parties to fight immediately end the fight and work towards a peaceful resolution.”
On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made an urgent call for a three-day ceasefire on Eid, as a “first step” to a permanent cessation of hostilities, noting that humanitarian operations have become “impossible”.
The UN alone has a 4,000 strong team of humanitarian workers, 3,200 of whom are Sudanese.
According to the latest information from the UN aid coordination office OCHA, there have been reports of armed forces attack against health facilitiesthe wake of ambulances with patients and professionals still on board, plunder of health facilities, and military forces carving material health.
Many shortages grow
In hospitals, shortages of essential medical personnel, oxygen supplies and blood bags, according to the World Health Organization, WHO organizationwhile the lack of light and darkness put hospital patients at great risk.
“There are still rising mental health and psychosocial support needsEspecially among children, as the conflict continues”, OCHA noted.
As of Friday morning, heavy gunfire, airstrikes and shelling were reported in different parts of the country, OCHA added, especially in North, Central and South Darfur, North Kordofan and in the capital, Khartoum.
On 20 April, there were unconfirmed reports of intensified fighting in El Obeid, North Kordofan State, as well as unrest and rising tensions in Gedaref, in eastern Sudan.
Solidarity with Sudan: UN Women
The head of UN Women, Sima Bahous, also issued a statement expressing deep concern over the impact of the indiscriminate conflict on Sudanese women and girls.
“As in all conflicts, this will certainly have dire and disproportionate effects on the lives of Sudanese women and girls. We stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan and we stand in support of them.
“Them The resilience of Sudanese women is a source of hopetheir role in the pursuit of peace is important, their capacity as humanitarian workers, guardians and protectors of inspiration”, added Ms. Bahous.
“We must heed their calls for calm and peace and decide to support them in everything they do.”
He noted that reports of sexual and gender-based violence are already spreading, and fears “they will grow more frequent.”
He called on Government soldiers and armed forces to “ensure that no woman or girl is affected by these crimes”.
He insisted that “every instance” of sexism and gender-based violence must be investigated and prosecuted without exception.
“The UN Secretary-General has called for an immediate halt to the fighting to coincide with Eid-Al-Fitr. This will allow the continuation of the delivery of essential humanitarian aid and a return to dialogue. It has demanded respect for international law. I join your call and urge all parties to commit to a peaceful resolution. “
