Sudan Conflict Sparks Humanitarian Emergency; Urgent International Response Required
The ongoing conflict in Sudan is creating a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions, warns the United Nations. Despite the severity of the situation, the international community’s attention seems to be waning. Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, describes the conflict as a viral conflict that has the potential to engulf the entire country. This protracted conflict also poses the risk of triggering a catastrophic humanitarian catastrophe in the wider region, highlights Griffiths.
During a press conference in Geneva, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized that the Sudan conflict, now in its fourth month, hasn’t received the international focus it deserves. To address the crisis, the UN has presented a $2.57 billion humanitarian response plan for Sudan in 2023. However, only $666.2 million has been raised so far, leaving 74 percent of the plan unfulfilled.
Among the major contributors, the United States leads with 58 percent of total contributions, followed by the European Commission with 12.4 percent. The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, which is typically utilized for urgent situations, accounts for 6 percent of the contributions. Despite these efforts, the amount raised remains insufficient to effectively tackle the crisis.
The provision of aid faces multiple challenges, with the conflict itself being the primary obstacle. Bureaucratic hurdles hinder the departure of aid shipments from Port Sudan, the primary access route for humanitarian supplies in the Red Sea. Additionally, a shortage of visas for aid workers further impedes the humanitarian response. Moreover, aid workers on the ground must navigate negotiations with different controlling forces, ranging from recognized authorities to paramilitary groups like the Rapid Support Forces.
However, despite the challenges, spokesperson Jens Laerke emphasized the determination of aid workers to do whatever they can to alleviate the crisis. While acknowledging the difficulties, he emphasized their commitment to help those in need.
The current conflict between the Sudanese army and its military rivals, the Rapid Support Forces, began in April but originates from the longer-standing Darfur conflict that erupted in 2003. This earlier conflict witnessed horrific violence, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and being labeled as genocide by UN and human rights investigators. Although a peace agreement was signed in 2020, violence never fully ceased.
In conclusion, the ongoing Sudan conflict is fueling an urgent humanitarian crisis that necessitates immediate international intervention. With only a fraction of the required funding secured, the situation remains dire. Aid workers face various obstacles while striving to provide much-needed assistance. The current conflict also has roots in a previous brutal conflict, highlighting the complex nature of the crisis. Urgent international attention and support are vital to prevent further suffering and the escalation of the humanitarian catastrophe.
