NEW YORK CITY, Jan 05 (IPS) – The ongoing conflict in Sudan has now intensified over the past nine months, plunging the nation into a devastating spiral of violence and despair that escalates with each passing day. As the fighting spreads further, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leading to severe human suffering, diminishing access for aid organizations, and a palpable sense of hopelessness among the affected populations. Immediate intervention is essential to avert further catastrophe.
In 2024, it is imperative that the international community – particularly those nations with influence over the conflict in Sudan – undertake urgent and decisive actions to halt the fighting and facilitate humanitarian operations designed to assist millions of vulnerable civilians. The conflict has reached critical areas, including the breadbasket region of Aj Jazirah State, where the situation has become increasingly dire. Over 500,000 individuals have been displaced, many seeking refuge in Wad Medani, which has historically served as a safe haven for those uprooted by violence elsewhere.
The continuous mass displacement of populations not only exacerbates the humanitarian situation but also heightens the risk of a cholera outbreak in the region, with more than 1,800 suspected cases reported to date. This alarming surge in health crises underscores the urgent need for intervention and support from the international community to prevent further deterioration of public health and safety in the state.
Grievously, the horrific abuses that have characterized the conflict in other regions, such as Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, are now emerging in Wad Medani. Reports of widespread human rights violations, including sexual violence, highlight the ongoing failure of the parties involved in the conflict to uphold their commitments to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian standards. The situation demands immediate attention and accountability to ensure the safety and dignity of affected populations.
There are significant concerns regarding the compliance of the conflicting parties with international humanitarian law. Given Wad Medani’s crucial role as a hub for relief efforts, the ongoing fighting and looting of humanitarian warehouses and supplies represent a direct assault on our ability to deliver essential assistance, including food, water, and healthcare. This situation is not only detrimental to relief efforts but also endangers countless lives that depend on these resources for survival.
Once again, I must emphatically condemn the theft of humanitarian supplies, which severely undermines our capacity to save lives and provide necessary support to those in dire need. Across Sudan, nearly 25 million individuals are projected to require humanitarian assistance in 2024. Unfortunately, escalating hostilities are pushing many of these vulnerable populations beyond our reach, with deliveries across conflict lines having come to a halt.
While the cross-border aid operation from Chad continues to serve as a lifeline for those in Darfur, efforts to deliver assistance in other regions are increasingly at risk. The rising violence in Sudan not only threatens humanitarian access but also poses a significant threat to regional stability. The conflict has resulted in the world’s largest displacement crisis, uprooting the lives of over 7 million individuals, with approximately 1.4 million having crossed into neighboring countries already hosting large refugee populations.
For the people of Sudan, 2023 was a devastating year of suffering. In 2024, the parties to the conflict must take decisive actions to bring an end to the violence: Protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access, and cease hostilities immediately.
A statement made by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All Rights ReservedOriginal resource: Inter Press Service
