UN: ‘Relief funding and access crucial as thousands face death in Darfur’
People gather at the centre of the El Salam displaced camp (also known as Abuja camp) near El Fasher in North Darfur, August 2023 (File photo: RD)
The UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan has warned of the “impending death of many thousands” in Darfur if the UN office in Sudan does not receive the necessary funding and access to respond to this humanitarian disaster.
In a post on the X platform from El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Sunday, UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Toby Harward, says that over the past few days, he held positive meetings with the authorities and military parties in Mellit and El Fasher, during which he discussed two urgent necessities: the need for full and unhindered humanitarian access to the population in all conflict-affected states, regardless of who controls the area, and the need for a significant increase in humanitarian funding to enable the response of the required scale and scope.
He expressed his happiness at celebrating Eid El Fitr in El Fasher in North Darfur and said he joins those who pray to God for an end to the conflict.
Appeal
In a statement on Tuesday, after meeting with the governor of North Darfur, Harward appealed to the need to open corridors for the entry of humanitarian aid, and stressed the need for the presence of UN staff in Darfur despite the difficult conditions in the country in order to reach the displaced people, refugees and the needy. He called on donor countries to support more UN programmes.
Harward said that there is no political agenda accompanying their work, noting that their goal is to help the needy and provide them with services.
‘I ask all parties not to exploit the delivery of humanitarian aid for any purposes…’
Negotiation
In a post on Twitter, Harward refuted claims by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that he arrived in El Fasher under its protection, clarifying: “In fact, the UN did not reach El Fasher under the security and protection of any armed party. UN arrived in full coordination with all parties, in accordance with the Jeddah Declaration, and without any security escort.”
Harward says that “the UN will work with all parties to deliver humanitarian aid to all areas of Darfur and other places in Sudan. I ask all parties not to exploit the delivery of humanitarian aid for any purposes.”
UN agencies to visit Darfur
In a statement published by the state media, the Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid in North Darfur, Dr Abbas Youssef, announced the formation of a joint mechanism for United Nations agencies and international organisations after the evacuation of a number of UN staff from Darfur at the beginning of the war, in order to implement projects in the coming period.
(Photo: UN)
Fact-finding mission
The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan today called on the warring parties in Sudan for an immediate ceasefire, to end attacks on civilians, and to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to millions of people who are in dire need of it. As the deadly conflict enters its second year. According to the United Nations, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed thousands of civilians since it broke out on April 15 last year, and more than six million people have been internally displaced, while nearly two million refugees have fled to neighboring countries. Nearly 24 million people need assistance, and 18 million people suffer from acute food insecurity.
‘The warring parties in Sudan are legally obligated to protect civilians…’
The head of the independent international fact-finding mission on Sudan, Mohamed Chandi Othman, said: “It is time for this destructive war to stop, and the warring parties must immediately put an end to all acts of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and hold perpetrators of gross human rights violations accountable for their actions.”
Othman added: “The warring parties in Sudan are legally obligated to protect civilians, but they have not shown a serious commitment in this regard. “We are now investigating disturbing reports of repeated attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.”
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