The UN and humanitarian partners in Sudan have called on all parties to the conflict to ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers and to hold perpetrators of crimes against them accountable.
The UN made the call on the World Humanitarian Day (WHD) on Monday.
“As we mark the World Humanitarian Day today in Sudan, we appeal to all the parties to the conflict, members states, especially those with leverage vis-a-vis the conflict parties, and the wider international community, to end attacks on civilians and take active steps to protect them – and the critical civilian infrastructure they rely on,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, in a press statement.
“We also call on all parties to ensure the protection of all aid workers, including those working for local and national partners, and their premises and assets, facilitate their work, including opening up and guaranteeing safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”
According to the press statement, at least 22 aid workers– all of them Sudanese nationals – have been killed while on duty and at least 34 others have been wounded or injured during this period.
The statement quoted Nkweta-Salami saying that those who target humanitarian workers should be held to account, since the fallen colleagues were doing their utmost to help the most vulnerable people.
“Aid workers are not a target, and these attacks must stop,” she added.
“Attacks against civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure are violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The perpetrators cannot go unpunished and should be held to account,” Nkweta-Salami is quoted saying.
The 16-month long Sudan war has had a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, with over 75 per cent of health facilities rendered non-functional in conflict-affected states, since its outbreak in April 2023. Some 88 attacks on health care – including on health facilities, ambulances and transport, assets, patients, and workers – have been verified, resulting in 55 deaths and 104 injuries.
The power, water and sanitation infrastructure too has been devastated, leading to increased risk of diseases and contributing to famine risk.
Amidst the heightening crisis, the UN called for additional humanitarian support, noting that just 33 per cent funding had been provided, more than seven months into the year. The Sudan humanitarian appeal was seeking US$2.7 billion.
About 150 humanitarian organizations across Sudan have reached nearly 8 million people with some form of humanitarian aid since January. The figure is over half of the 14.7 million people who humanitarian organizations plan to reach with assistance this year.