In a recent development, top U.N. official Martin Griffiths has expressed his hope that two Sudanese generals would attend a meeting in Switzerland to discuss humanitarian issues and address the plight of Sudan's distressed civilians. While Griffiths awaits confirmation of their participation, he expressed his concern regarding the ongoing war between the two generals, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 12,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April after tensions between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo escalated, leading to open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and beyond. Griffiths highlighted that this war was not the result of an agreed-upon plan for transition but rather a resolution by the generals to resort to violence instead of dialogue.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Griffiths has engaged in conversations with both generals over the past ten days, aiming to bring them back to the commitments outlined in previous talks held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The U.N. undersecretary for humanitarian affairs plans to address the planning and facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery and personnel movements in Sudan during the U.N.-mediated talks.
Griffiths emphasized his eagerness to arrange a face-to-face meeting but acknowledged the need to start with a virtual call mediated by the U.N. resident coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Awu Nkweta-Salami, given the current circumstances. The primary objective of these discussions is to establish a platform for addressing humanitarian needs in a country that is still plagued by ongoing pockets of fighting.
While awaiting progress in the peace process, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, have jointly appealed for $4.1 billion in international support for Sudan's embattled civilians. This plea comes as reports suggest that some people in Sudan are facing starvation after nearly a year of conflict between the rival generals.
Approximately half of Sudan's population, around 25 million people, require assistance and protection, making the requested funds crucial to aiding millions of Sudanese civilians both within the country and those who have sought refuge abroad.
U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who recently met with displaced families in Sudan and neighboring Ethiopia, emphasized the urgent need for aid and support. Displaced individuals have articulated a consistent plea for peace and assistance to rebuild their lives. The dire situation demands immediate action to alleviate the suffering faced by Sudanese civilians.
Out of the requested funds, approximately two-thirds would be allocated to OCHA and its partners to aid nearly 15 million people within Sudan, while the remaining portion would go towards providing assistance to nearly 2.7 million Sudanese refugees residing in five neighboring countries.
Griffiths acknowledged that last year's appeal for just under $2.6 billion was largely underfunded. In light of the numerous conflicts worldwide, including those in Ukraine, Gaza, Congo, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, U.N. officials are urging global attention to the suffering endured by civilians in Sudan and other similarly afflicted regions.
Despite the waning media attention on Sudan, Griffiths emphasized that the country is currently one of the world's most suffering regions. While international efforts have been concentrated on Gaza, Sudan has seen no progress towards peace in the past ten months, which necessitates immediate aid and intervention.
According to the United Nations, the war in Sudan has already claimed the lives of at least 12,000 people, though local doctors' groups argue that the actual death toll is likely much higher. Furthermore, over 10.7 million individuals have been internally displaced, as reported by the U.N. migration agency.
The U.N.'s World Food Program has indicated that around 18 million people across Sudan are facing acute hunger, with the most vulnerable individuals trapped behind the front lines of the conflict. Additionally, the U.N. reports that approximately 19 million children are currently out of school in Sudan, further exacerbating the dire situation.
As the international community is called upon to provide support and funding, the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of Sudan's civilians cannot be ignored. With millions affected by the ongoing conflict and the threat of starvation looming, immediate action is necessary to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
