Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis: A Call to Action
As world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, is urging the international community to focus on the devastating humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan. The country has been plagued by brutal conflict for over 17 months, resulting in the world’s fastest-growing civilian displacement and humanitarian crisis.
The crisis has left millions of people facing acute hunger and disease, with famine conditions confirmed in the Zamzam displacement camp in August. The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, where at least 1,500 people were displaced in recent days following the escalation of hostilities. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator is calling on the parties to halt attacks on civilians, homes, and essential facilities, which are protected under international humanitarian law.
The humanitarian situation is further exacerbated by the outbreak of cholera and water-borne diseases, which are affecting malnourished people, especially children and women. According to the Sudanese authorities, over 13,300 cholera cases have been reported in the past two months, resulting in 415 related deaths.
Despite the challenges, humanitarian partners have provided assistance to over 8 million people across Sudan this year. However, the Sudan humanitarian appeal, seeking US$2.7 billion, is less than 50 per cent funded, constraining and limiting the response efforts of the UN and its partners.
The UN will take centre stage at UN Headquarters on Wednesday, 25 September, when Member States join together with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency, to call for urgent and collective support to address the humanitarian catastrophe and push for peace.
"This is exactly why the UN was created: to prevent war and alleviate human suffering," Ms. Nkweta-Salami said. "Each passing hour means women and children in parts of El Fasher, Khartoum, Aj Jazirah, Sennar and other areas directly affected by conflict are likely dying from hostilities, malnutrition, or illness."
The international community must come together to support the people of Sudan and address this humanitarian crisis. The UN and its partners are calling for unrestricted access and additional funding to reach more people in acute need. The time to act is now.