A senior UN official urged the Security Council to improve civilian protection and humanitarian access in Sudan as the conflict nears its second year. The war has caused widespread hunger, displacement, and violence among the populace. Key developments in Darfur and Khartoum illustrate the dire humanitarian situation, prompting calls for urgent international support. The UN has launched a humanitarian response plan calling for $6 billion to assist millions affected by the crisis.
During a briefing to the United Nations Security Council, Edem Wosornu from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasized the urgent need for enhanced protection for civilians in Sudan, as the brutal conflict between rival military factions nears its second anniversary. She remarked, “Now more than ever, two years on, the people of Sudan need your action,” highlighting the severe consequences of ongoing hostilities.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in over 24.6 million individuals facing acute hunger and left more than 12 million displaced, with 3.4 million fleeing to neighboring countries. Furthermore, essential health services have deteriorated, millions of children are out of school, and there is a pattern of escalating sexual violence reported.
Recent developments in North Darfur raise grave concerns. Despite the Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2739 (2024), which called for an end to the besiegement in El Fasher, civilians remain under attack. The Zamzam displacement camp has witnessed heightened violence, with confirmed famine conditions affecting its estimated hundreds of thousands of residents. Ms. Wosornu noted, “Terrified civilians, including humanitarian workers, were unable to leave the area when the fighting was most intense. Many were killed, including at least two humanitarian workers.”
The situation continues to deteriorate in Khartoum, with civilians suffering directly from ongoing violent clashes. Reports of summary executions have been verified by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) in areas experiencing shifts in control. Additionally, worrisome fighting has spread to new regions in the states of North and South Kordofan, creating further risk for innocent civilians amidst hampered humanitarian operations.
Moreover, alarming reports of atrocities in White Nile state have surfaced, with many civilians reportedly killed during recent attacks. The launch of the 2025 humanitarian response plan aims to raise $6 billion to support nearly 25 million people in Sudan and another five million refugees in surrounding countries. Ms. Wosornu urged the international community, especially the Security Council, to intensify their efforts to address the crisis.
In her concluding remarks, she presented three essential requests to the Security Council. First, a call for immediate action ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians and essential infrastructure. Second, she emphasized the necessity for unhindered access to humanitarian aid for those in need. Third, she highlighted the critical funding shortfall, indicating that the unprecedented scale of needs in Sudan demands an exceptional mobilization of international support and flexible funding.
In summary, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian consequences, with millions suffering from acute hunger, displacement, and violence. The UN calls upon the Security Council to take decisive action to protect civilians and enable unrestricted humanitarian access. The international community must also be prepared to provide the substantial financial support necessary to address this unprecedented crisis.
Original Source: news.un.org
