The United Nations has described the Sudanese people as “trapped in a hell” of violence, compounded by the risk of famine exacerbated by the rainy season and obstacles to aid.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta Salami, said during a press conference on Wednesday: “After more than a year of war, the people of Sudan are trapped in a hell of brutal violence, famine is approaching, disease is approaching, fighting is approaching, and there is no way out in sight.”
“We only have 6 weeks before the dry season when food becomes less available and more expensive,” Nkweta said, with more than 4 million people on the brink of famine.
“This coincides with two other dates: the beginning of the rainy season when it becomes more difficult to reach the population in need, and the end of the planting season, which may fail if we cannot provide seeds to farmers,” Nkweta said.
In an interview with UN News, WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau called for pressure on all parties to the conflict to better facilitate humanitarian access, warning of a humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan if immediate change is not made.
Sudan is locked in a devastating war between the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti), which has left some 15,000 dead and more than 8 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations.
A UN appeal to raise $1.4 billion to support refugees from South Sudan