WHO Calls for Increased Humanitarian Aid and Access in Sudan’s Conflict Zones
The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging heightened cross-regional efforts to provide critical humanitarian assistance to millions affected by Sudan’s intensifying conflict. Officials emphasize the urgent need for a humanitarian corridor from Chad to facilitate essential relief reaching Sudan’s starving population.
According to the WHO, ongoing fighting has severely restricted access to vital humanitarian and health assistance in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Al Jazira states. The situation is particularly alarming in El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, where over 800,000 people are besieged and cut off from food, healthcare, and medical supplies.
WHO representative Sahbani highlights the desperate need for immediate access to avert a looming health catastrophe. Many wounded individuals are unable to receive urgent care, while vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, are weakened by acute hunger.
The WHO’s call underscores the critical importance of humanitarian access to mitigate the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan.
Significant point in displacement
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) declared on Tuesday that Sudan’s conflict has reached a distressing new phase in its displacement crisis. According to the International Organization for Migration, since mid-April 2023, a staggering 12.7 million people have been displaced, with over 10 million remaining within Sudan and more than 2 million forced to seek refuge in five neighboring countries.
Sahbani noted that Chad, currently hosting over 700,000 Sudanese refugees, is receiving between 500 and 700 new arrivals daily. “The government of Chad and the people of Adre have shown remarkable hospitality. They have opened their homes and systems,” he stated. “However, their resources are already stretched to the limit, and these refugees have little left to share.”
The WHO Calls for Enhanced Humanitarian Efforts Amid Sudan’s Escalating Conflict
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a urgent appeal for increased international cooperation to provide essential humanitarian aid to millions affected by Sudan’s intensifying conflict. Highlighting the critical need for a humanitarian corridor from Chad, WHO officials stress the necessity of delivering vital relief to Sudan’s population facing severe starvation.
According to the WHO, ongoing fighting has severely limited humanitarian and healthcare access in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Al Jazira states. The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, North Darfur’s capital, where over 800,000 people are trapped without access to food, healthcare, or medical supplies.
WHO representative Sahbani underscored the immediate need for access to prevent a looming health crisis. He emphasized that urgent medical care is inaccessible to many wounded individuals, and vulnerable groups like children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are suffering from acute hunger.
The WHO’s call highlights the critical importance of international action to mitigate the humanitarian emergency unfolding in Sudan.
Weather conditions could exacerbate the situation
He cautioned about the impending challenges posed by the upcoming rainy season, which could severely restrict access to healthcare across the region.
Sahbani highlighted concerns that anticipated flooding could further complicate efforts by the WHO and its partners to deliver essential humanitarian assistance, underscoring the urgent need for the international community to bridge significant funding gaps.
OCHA reported that only 30% of the UN’s $2.7 billion Humanitarian Response Plan has been funded, despite being more than halfway through the year.
“There’s a critical need for donors to fulfill their pledges and ramp up their support,” OCHA emphasized.
Sahbani stressed the necessity for immediate action and a ceasefire to prevent an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.
“If decisive measures aren’t taken now, Sudan risks facing uncontrollable outbreaks of diseases, widespread malnutrition, and trauma,” he cautioned.
Regarding the ongoing UN-mediated “proximity talks” involving Sudan’s conflicting parties in Geneva, the WHO official expressed cautious optimism.
“We’re seeing some hopeful signs,” he noted. “In the hours and days ahead, we hope to achieve not only a ceasefire but also ensure civilian protection and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.”
