The nation has been embroiled in violent clashes between the military and paramilitary forces since April 15th. This conflict is fueling a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions, warns United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths.
“This expanding conflict, along with the hunger, diseases, and population displacement it brings, now threatens to engulf the entire country,” he emphasizes.
The war has reportedly caused nearly 5,000 deaths, as per the NGO ACLED. However, the actual toll is believed to be higher, given that several regions of the country remain entirely cut off from communication, and both sides are reluctant to disclose their losses. In four months, over 4.6 million people have been compelled to flee their homes.
“The longer the fighting continues, the more devastating its impact becomes. In some areas, food has already run out. Hundreds of thousands of children are suffering from severe malnutrition and face imminent death unless they receive treatment,” Griffiths warns.
The senior UN official underscores that the intense battles that have ravaged the capital, Khartoum, and Darfur since mid-April have now spread to Kordofan.
“In Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, food reserves have been completely depleted, while clashes and roadblocks hinder humanitarian workers from reaching the hungry population,” he states.
Diseases such as measles, malaria, and dengue are spreading throughout the country, and most people lack access to medical treatment. “The conflict has devastated the healthcare sector, with most hospitals out of service,” Griffiths highlights.
The situation is dire and demands immediate attention from the global community to prevent further loss of life and suffering in Sudan.