Posted on 21 December 2023
The escalation of violence between the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces in Sudan since April has created “a convergence of a worsening humanitarian calamity and a catastrophic human rights crisis”, says a senior UN Official.
This month's clashes in Sudan have included an outbreak of violence in Wad Madani, displacing up to 15,000 people locally with a state of emergency announced, and an attack on an ICRC convoy evacuating over 100 citizens, killing two and injuring seven.
Providing assistance to Sudan poses immense dangers and challenges. 60% of funding in Sudan's 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan was unmet this year and the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in the Sudan (UNITAMS) is currently winding down its operations prior to its termination in February.
This comes as almost 25 million people now require humanitarian assistance in Sudan, and the World Food Programme are warning “looming hunger catastrophe” for the nation next year, with currently 18 million people facing acute hunger.