Today's Edition
SHABAN BILAL (CAIRO)
The spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Sudan is witnessing the world's largest internal displacement crisis. Since the outbreak of fighting last April, more than 7.1 million people have been displaced. He emphasised that about half of Sudan's population (25 million people) is in need of humanitarian assistance.
Civilians paying the price
The UN office spokesperson told Aletihad that Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of "mythic proportions", with civilians paying the price. Millions of people, especially in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, lack food, water, shelter, electricity, education, and healthcare.
The spokesperson stressed that insecurity, displacement, and limited access to medicines and medical supplies, electricity, and water continue to pose significant challenges in providing healthcare across Sudan. At least 2,500 suspected cholera cases have been reported, including 77 deaths, in Gezira, Gadarif, Kassala, Khartoum, South Kordofan, and Sennar.
Impact on Children
The UN official mentioned that the conflict has deprived approximately 12 million children of education since April. The total number of out-of-school children in Sudan has reached 19 million. Moreover, at least 10,400 schools have stopped working in the affected areas.
UN Efforts
The UN spokesperson explained that as the humanitarian situation worsens, local communities' ability to adapt significantly decreases, particularly affecting women, children, and the elderly. Despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies have made significant strides in reaching the affected Sudanese, successfully assisting 4.1 million people. However, more assistance is needed, and aid must continue to flow to reach more people in dire need, the official said.
He noted that humanitarian workers in Sudan are committed to providing assistance and continuously risk their lives to help those in most need.
The organisation urgently needs increased support from international and regional partners. However, this support should not only be financial. Sudan would benefit from their advocacy for the safe and unhindered delivery of vital aid and pressure for a binding agreement to end the conflict before the situation worsens.
