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18 August 2024 (Port Sudan) – Marking World Humanitarian Day, the United Nations Resident Relief Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta Salami, called for the protection of civilians and aid workers and an end to impunity.
“Today, as we mark World Humanitarian Day in Sudan, we call on all parties to the conflict, Member States, particularly those with influence over them, and the wider international community to cease attacks on civilians and take proactive steps to protect them and the critical civilian infrastructure they depend on,” Nkweta-Salami said in a statement.
“We also call on all parties to ensure the safety of all aid workers, including those working for local and national partners, as well as their sites and assets, and to facilitate their work, including by opening and ensuring safe and unhindered humanitarian access,” she added.
At least 22 Sudanese aid workers were reportedly killed and at least 34 injured in the line of duty during this period.
“Our fallen colleagues risked their lives doing everything they could to help the most vulnerable, regardless of the risk of harm. Aid workers are not targets and these attacks must stop,” the senior UN official said.
She added: “Attacks against civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law. Perpetrators must not go unpunished and must be held accountable.”
The conflict in Sudan has had a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, with more than 75% of health facilities in conflict-affected states not functioning properly.
According to reports, 88 attacks on healthcare have been confirmed since April 2023, including attacks on medical facilities, ambulances and transport, assets, patients and medical workers, resulting in at least 55 deaths and 104 injuries.
In addition, the destruction of electricity, water and sanitation infrastructure in conflict zones has increased the risk of disease and heightened the risk of famine.
“Parties to the conflict and all States must uphold their obligations and use their influence to ensure respect for the rules of war and minimize human suffering. Meeting these obligations requires immediate and decisive action,” the UN relief official said, adding that “turning a blind eye when humanitarian workers are targeted only emboldens those who seek to hinder their work.”
Senior UN officials believe that such impunity will only exacerbate food insecurity, child malnutrition, involuntary displacement and the spread of infectious diseases and other threats.
“No matter what, we will remain here to deliver life-saving assistance to millions of the most vulnerable people across Sudan, especially those already facing famine or on the brink of famine. Protecting civilians and aid workers and ensuring safe access must go hand in hand with increased humanitarian funding,” she stressed.
There are concerns that more than seven months into the year, Sudan’s humanitarian appeal is only 33 percent funded of the $2.7 billion it seeks. This is limiting and constraining the work of the United Nations, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the ground in Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan and other regions.
(English stone)
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