Conflict in Sudan has escalated, leaving over half the population in severe hunger and displacing 12 million people. The UN’s Edem Wosornu urged the Security Council for better protection for civilians and humanitarian access. Recent violence in North Darfur and Khartoum highlights the critical situation, as humanitarian aid efforts require $6 billion to support millions in need.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, now nearing its second year, has created dire conditions for civilians, according to Edem Wosornu, a senior official in the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In a briefing to the UN Security Council, she emphasized the urgent need for improved protection of civilians and unrestricted humanitarian access. Wosornu highlighted that 24.6 million people are faced with acute hunger, and over 12 million have been displaced due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
Recent conditions in North Darfur are particularly alarming, with the Zamzam displacement camp experiencing intensifying violence and famine conditions. Wosornu pointed out that despite the Council’s Resolution 2739 (2024), civilians continue to suffer attacks. Reports of heavy weaponry usage and civilian casualties, including fatalities among humanitarian workers, have emerged from the area, indicating worsened security.
The situation in Khartoum remains volatile, with verified reports of civilian executions as fighting rages on. Wosornu expressed severe concerns for local responders facing dangers in their efforts to assist affected communities. Additionally, fighting is reportedly spreading into new areas of North and South Kordofan states, which complicates humanitarian operations and threatens civilian safety.
The UN recently launched plans for humanitarian response requiring $6 billion to assist nearly 25 million people in Sudan and up to five million refugees in surrounding countries. Emphasizing the need for international support, Wosornu called on Security Council members to act decisively to alleviate the crisis. She listed three key demands aimed at ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, facilitating unhindered access for humanitarian aid, and addressing funding shortages crucial for the response effort.
In summary, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is reaching critical levels as conflict continues, affecting millions. Edem Wosornu’s briefing underscored the urgency of the situation, highlighting severe hunger, displacement, and violence. Immediate action from the international community is necessary to safeguard civilians and ensure aid access. The upcoming humanitarian response plan emphasizes the need for significant funding to meet unprecedented demands.
Original Source: news.un.org
