The United Nations agency is calling for “comprehensive assistance” to be given to civilians in Sudan.
An astounding number of six million individuals have been forced to leave their homes in Sudan due to the conflict between two opposing military groups, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which began on April 15, 2023.
An additional 1.7 million non-military individuals have fled to neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, Egypt, the Central African Republic, and Libya for safety.
Their plight demands urgent global attention and an immediate ceasefire, IOM Director General Amy Pope said, having witnessed the devastating impact for herself during a recent visit to eastern Chad.
She emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire in Sudan to allow individuals to rebuild their lives with respect. It is crucial that we do not ignore the distress of millions of individuals impacted by this destructive conflict.
In these critical times, it is crucial that we receive all available support in order to sustain our efforts in delivering vital humanitarian aid and working towards recovery and permanent solutions.
Funds needed
The IOM has requested $307 million in funding for 2024 to aid 1.2 million individuals impacted by the conflict, including those who have been displaced within their own country, refugees, individuals returning home, and people from other countries.
The United Nations organization has provided aid to more than one million people in Sudan and its neighboring countries. This aid has taken the form of financial assistance and ensuring safe transportation, as well as providing essential resources for health, protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
During a visit to Chad, Amy Pope, the head of IOM, brings attention to the current state of affairs in Sudan.
The situation shows no signs of improvement.
The United Nations High Commissioner’s designated human rights specialist for Sudan also urged for an urgent cessation of violence and a shift towards civilian governance on Wednesday.
Last year, Radhouane Nouicer was appointed and he is now calling for accountability for the numerous reported instances of mistreatment.
“As the conflict between the SAF and RSF intensifies throughout the nation, there is a persistent disregard for human rights and international humanitarian laws. It is imperative that both sides’ leaders demonstrate greater determination to cease violence and disarm their weapons,” he stated.
During my routine meetings with representatives from Sudanese civil society, I have been informed of disturbing accounts of human suffering. These include numerous suspected instances of enforced disappearance and various cases of arbitrary detention by both sides involved in the conflict.
Increase in conflicts based on ethnicity
Mr. Nouicer also expressed alarm at the rise in ethnically motivated violence and hate speech, particularly in the Darfur region, where the RSF and allied Arab militias have targeted the African Masalit community.
Reports of conscription of children and mobilization of civilians into so-called “popular” resistance groups are also deeply concerning.
Overall, more than 25 million non-military individuals, including over 14 million children, require humanitarian aid and protection.
There have been troubling reports of sexual assault targeting women and girls, with many of the alleged perpetrators being members of the RSF and their affiliated militia.
In April 2023, a relief center in west Darfur was robbed during the ongoing conflict. The stolen items included vaccines, medications, and other temperature-sensitive supplies.
“This behavior must cease.”
According to Mr. Nouicer, Sudan, a land known for its fertility, is experiencing a severe shortage of food, leaving millions in a state of extreme hunger. However, providing assistance to those in need is proving to be incredibly difficult because of ongoing conflicts, widespread insecurity, attacks on humanitarian personnel, and bureaucratic obstacles.
Since the beginning of the conflict, almost all of the aid workers who have been killed or detained have been Sudanese nationals. The ongoing fuel shortages are also hindering the ability of humanitarian staff to move around and access supplies, as well as generate power for essential operations like keeping cold storage and water pumps running.
The expert emphasized the need for the Government of Sudan, who is responsible for protecting civilians, to take action and guarantee that enough aid can reach those in need. They also called for the facilitation of humanitarian convoys to reach the populations impacted by the conflict.
Source: news.un.org
