Sudan Confronts a Severe: Violence and misery are commonplace in Sudan right now, and the situation is terrible. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, a senior figure within the UN, brought attention to the fact that approximately 9 million people in Sudan are coping with the effects of horrific violence, starvation, disease epidemics, and mass displacement.
With the escalation of tensions between paramilitary forces and the military in April 2023, the situation has worsened, leading to an incredible number of over 14,000 casualties and 33,000 wounded. El Fasher, the capital of Darfur, is besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which worsens the situation even more.
The impending danger of mass starvation and death is brought home by Nkweta-Salami’s need for immediate humanitarian assistance, as the lean season is just six weeks away. Immediate action and additional financial support are required to address this growing situation.
Nkweta-Salami emphasizes that the United Nations’ $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal, which aims to assist over 15 million people in Sudan, is inadequate, with only 12% of the total amount promised (despite donors’ $2.1 billion in relief for Sudan on April 15). There is a risk of starvation and poverty due to the lack of funds that could be used to increase help.
Speaking on behalf of the United Nations World Food Program, Leni Kinzli highlights the severe hunger in Darfur, where the number of people facing food insecurity is projected to have increased since December when it was already at 1.7 million. Amidst the ongoing fighting in Sudan, people have resorted to extreme tactics like eating grass and peanut shells, highlighting the critical need for aid to avert massive famine and casualties.
Unrestricted access to individuals in need must be prioritized, along with the urgent need for assistance delivery from neighboring Chad and beyond war lines. El Fasher’s total seclusion, along with the city’s critical need for food, water, and medication, highlights the difficulties humanitarian organizations encounter encounter in providing assistance. Those already struggling have their situation worsened by delays caused by security concerns, checkpoints, and bureaucratic red tape.
De-escalating tensions is of the utmost importance, as Nkweta-Salami pleaded for the warring sides to withdraw to prevent terrible consequences for people. She goes on to say that more people need to get involved to put an end to the fighting and have the people guilty of the violence face the music. She argues that the world community must do something to help the civilian people of Sudan because they cannot watch idly by while the situation becomes worse.
