Christopher Lockyear of MSF briefed the UN Security Council on the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan due to two years of conflict. He highlighted the systematic violence against civilians, humanitarian aid restrictions, and the shocking levels of suffering across the population. Lockyear called for a new comprehensive approach to ensure civilian protection and robust humanitarian assistance, emphasizing that millions of lives depend on immediate action.
Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), addressed the United Nations Security Council today, urging immediate action regarding the ongoing war in Sudan. He emphasized that two years of sustained violence have resulted in severe humanitarian crises, highlighting rampant devastation, widespread displacement, and the escalating death toll amidst severe famine conditions.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan is characterized as a war against civilians. Lockyear illustrated how the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces have escalated the suffering of innocent populations through indiscriminate bombings, systematic sexual violence, and abductions. Both factions have impeded humanitarian efforts and targeted essential infrastructure, exacerbating the crisis.
During his recent visit to Khartoum State, Lockyear witnessed the aftermath of violence firsthand at Al-Nao hospital. He described the facility as overwhelmed with casualties from recent attacks, including a shelling incident that resulted in horrific injuries to civilians. Despite being one of the few operational hospitals, it has faced repeated strikes.
Further accounts detailed the violent occupation tactics employed by the Rapid Support Forces in North Darfur, where essential healthcare facilities became sites of high casualty influx due to armed conflict. Additionally, the violence in West Darfur reached alarming levels, prompting mass civilian displacement and significant humanitarian needs.
Lockyear reiterated the extensive medical efforts of MSF, which operates in over 22 hospitals and 42 primary health facilities across Sudan. He pointed out the critical rise in severe malnutrition and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases amidst the chaos, urging for urgent humanitarian access and action.
He conveyed that the conflict’s nature leads to violence being central to its execution rather than a byproduct. Lockyear spoke of the bureaucratic hurdles and obstructions faced by humanitarian aid efforts, particularly in Rapid Support Forces-controlled territories, highlighting the exorbitant costs of delivering essential supplies.
Despite minor improvements in humanitarian access, the overwhelming needs continue to far outpace the available support. The effectiveness of humanitarian aid delivery is hampered by bureaucratic complexities and restrictive tactics imposed by armed factions.
Lockyear expressed concern over the repeated calls for an end to violence by the Council, noting that such statements feel ineffective against the ongoing atrocities faced by civilians. He highlighted that the humanitarian response is crippled by inaction and called for a new approach to ensure civilians receive the protection and assistance they desperately require.
He advocated for a renewed compact aimed at prioritizing civilian safety and unimpeded access for aid organizations. This requires robust accountability mechanisms to guarantee that humanitarian imperatives guide the actions of involved parties in the conflict.
To address these challenges effectively, increased funding and support from member states is critical, along with the full redeployment of UN humanitarian agencies across Sudan. Preparations for the impending rainy season and the resulting hunger crisis necessitate urgent and transformative action, as millions of lives in Sudan hang in the balance.
The briefing by Chris Lockyear to the UN Security Council underscores the urgent need for immediate humanitarian intervention in Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict. The systematic violence against civilians and the humanitarian challenges highlight the inadequacies of current responses. A call for a new, accountable compact prioritizing civilian protection and unfettered access for aid organizations is crucial for addressing the escalating crises and ensuring the survival of millions in need.
Original Source: www.msf.org
