Sudan: ‘Security and immediate access’ needed for rescue aid, urges Guterres

António Guterres is speaking to the media in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where he will chair a meeting of senior officials from across the UN system.

Since violence broke out in Sudan on April 15, more than 334,000 have probably been released and more than 100,000 people have fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN’s aid coordination office, OCHA.

Fighting between the rival forces of the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been fought for three weeks, despite repeated declarations and the failure of ceasefire extensions between the two groups.

The latest UN figures show that at least 528 have died during the fighting, with nearly 4,600 injured, although many more are thought to have perished due to disruptions in essential services, including healthcare.

Peace, and civil government

“Every team must put the interests of the Sudanese people first”, said the UN leader, “and that means peace and a return to civilian ruleallowing for the development of the country.

“We are putting these goals front and center as we engage with the parties to the conflict, and are working hand in hand with the African Union and the United Nations Development Organization (IGAD).”

Mr. Guterres also said that the people of Sudan “are facing a humanitarian disaster”, while millions now face food shortages.

He said the UN is “ready to deliver”, under the leadership of its Special Envoy – and head of the UN mission in Sudan, UNITAMS – Volker Perthes.

“We must allow aid into Sudan, and we need security and immediate access to be able to distribute it to the people who need it the most”, he said.

The donor leader is calling for secure world contracts

Top UN official Martin Griffiths on Wednesday urged Sudan’s warring parties to commit to the safe passage of relief supplies, as terrified civilians continue to flee the country.

He arrived a few hours ago at the UN aid station of Port Sudan, on the Red Sea coast of Sudan.

“We can and should get help to those various parts of Darfur, to Khartoum. …we had The agency representatives I met with this morning were unanimous about that. But to do that, we need access, we need airlifts, we need non-perishable supplies,” said emergency relief chief Griffiths.

Fear of theft

Speaking from Port Sudan, Mr Griffiths noted that the UN World Food Program (WFP) has reported that Six trucks heading to Darfur were stolen on Wednesday “despite assurances of safety and security”, amid the ongoing power struggle.

To help the most vulnerable communities in Sudan and to avoid further theft of aid supplies, Mr. Griffiths stressed the need “to be make sure we have clear and transparent agreements given by two forces to protect human welfare, to deliver on commitments to allow human resources to live”.

This commitment should take place even without the termination of the country in place, he continued, through regional programs “that can be relied upon”.

The health needs

Showing the extent of the need in areas affected by heavy gunfire and airstrikes, the UN aid chief also said that restoring medical aid is on the list of priorities in the capital, Khartoum, where more than six in 10 health facilities are closed, and around one in seven are operating normally.

“Many patients with chronic diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, cannot access the health facilities or medicines they need,” OCHA reported.

Provide safe water is also very important, to encourage communities to stay where they are so they can get help. “We have a plan for how we get supplies to these places” across the country including Darfur, Mr. Griffiths said. “We know how to do this, and we are going to start doing it.”

Final season

Humanitarians fear that unless such assurances of aid from the warring parties are secured, the situation in Sudan may worsen further.

“(The UN Food and Agriculture Organization) FAO and the UN World Food Program, talk to me today about the importance of getting food and seeds into places that would otherwise be difficult to reach because the rainy season is coming in June, and with the planting season, which is also coming from May to July,” said Mr Griffiths.

“We will also require agreements and arrangements to allow for transfer of staff and materials…. It is a changing environment”, he said.

“I think you’ll see if we have good funding we will be able to do exactly what the people of Sudan need us to do and you have the right to see that we do. “

‘We must act now’: IOM chief

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the head of the UN migration agency (IOM), António Vitorino, said that the world “cannot turn a blind eye” to the crisis in Sudan.

It was it is imperative that we – as UN agencies, donors, individuals, and governments – work together and support the people of Sudan and its neighboring countries.”

He praised all those countries that kept their borders open to those fleeing violence, calling for increased efforts to improve conditions at border points, to receive more aid to pay .

Mr. Vitorino added that IOM is working with partners on a partnership and coordinated response system and appeal, to increase life-saving assistance. So far, there are six stores with supplies across five states in Sudan, and more than 10,000 relief items already predicted.