The United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners, recognizing the ceasefire agreement between rival warring factions in Sudan, are moving fast to supply aid to affected areas. Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Spokesperson, revealed that the opportunity to extend services to Sudanese affected by the six weeks of fighting is achievable in areas where the ceasefire holds. The World Food Programme has so far served over 500,000 individuals in nine states with food, and nutrition support with plans to distribute aid in Central Darfur and Northern State. The UN Children’s Fund and the International Organization for Migration also load aids and en route to different parts of Sudan. Over the past few days, there have been flareups in different parts of Sudan, which pose a threat to the ceasefire agreement imposed by the Saudi-backed deal.
Due to the fighting, over 24.7 million individuals require humanitarian aid and protection, according to the UN’s top humanitarian official in Sudan. The figure represents an increase of 57% since the beginning of the year. As a result of lack of oxygen during electricity blackouts, six newborn babies died within a week at a hospital in East Darfur, with over 30 newborn casualties so far since the fighting began. Conversely, over 50% of the hospitals in Sudan are out of service due to fighting. The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, frowned at reports of rampant sexual violence in different parts of Sudan against women and girls. Patten calls on the parties to respect international human rights and humanitarian law and to issue strict commands that forbid sexual violence and monitor the compliance of all armed elements under their control.
