The United Nations has issued a warning about the worsening plight of civilians in Sudan amid the ongoing war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, describing the country as a model of “indifference and impunity” at a time when half the population is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and the collapse of the healthcare system and the spread of diseases are intensifying.
Sudan, which has been ravaged by war for more than two years between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, faces a reality that UN Humanitarian Coordinator Tom Fletcher on Thursday called a “sad example” of the global spread of “indifference” and “impunity.”
In a statement, Fletcher noted that the international community has “repeatedly reiterated its commitment to protecting the people of Sudan,” adding that Sudanese people “will wonder when and how this promise will be fulfilled,” as their country has become a defining issue of the moment amid escalating indifference and ongoing impunity.
He explained that warnings about the scale of the disaster are constantly being renewed, stating: “This is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today.” Nearly 30 million people—about half the population—require essential assistance to survive, he said, describing a “merciless war” and civilians “trapped and suffering from hunger.”
Detailing the suffering, he pointed out that “indiscriminate shelling and attacks using drones and other aerial weapons are killing large numbers, injuring many, and displacing thousands.” He also highlighted the collapse of the healthcare system and the spread of cholera, measles, and other diseases across various regions.
Fletcher went on to say that the human cost of this war, including the widespread occurrence of sexual violence, has been documented repeatedly, “but these words have not translated into real protection for civilians or safe and sustained access for humanitarian workers.”
He recalled the recent attack on relief teams, which, according to UNICEF and the World Food Programme, resulted in the deaths of five people.
He emphasized the importance of intensifying the efforts of influential parties to accelerate the achievement of a just and sustainable peace, while also calling for increased funding for humanitarian aid.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, Sudan has suffered massive destruction due to a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who became the de facto ruler of the country after the 2021 coup, and Rapid Support Forces leader and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
France 24 / AFP
