Khartoum, Sudan – The echoes of gunfire and the shadows of destruction linger over Sudan as a devastating civil war continues to ravage the nation. What began on April 15, 2023, has spiraled into an unrelenting conflict, plunging the country into an abyss of violence, hunger, and despair.
Edem Wosornu, director of operations at the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), delivered a harrowing plea to the international community during a briefing to the Security Council on December 19. “This is a crisis of staggering scale and unimaginable brutality that demands urgent and sustained attention,” she declared, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation unfolding in Sudan.
The conflict erupted in the heart of the capital, Khartoum, as clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out. The violence quickly spread beyond the capital, engulfing regions across the country. Over a year of continuous fighting has decimated infrastructure, disrupted food supplies, and left countless civilians in peril.
In October 2024, Ted Chaiban, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations and deputy executive director of UNICEF, visited Sudan. He described the crisis as one of the most severe in living memory. “Sudan and its plight are becoming increasingly forgotten,” he noted, expressing deep concern over the waning international attention.
The humanitarian needs are staggering. Millions are displaced, hospitals are overwhelmed, and access to essential services is severely limited. Diseases are spreading unchecked, and the specter of famine looms large as agricultural activities have been disrupted by the ongoing conflict.
Despite the severity of the situation, Sudan’s crisis has faded from the global spotlight. Overshadowed by other international events, the suffering of the Sudanese people continues largely unnoticed. Aid agencies are struggling to secure the necessary funding and resources to address the mounting needs.
Wosornu’s appeal to the Security Council underscores the urgent need for a coordinated international response. “We cannot allow Sudan to become a forgotten crisis,” she urged. “The lives of millions hang in the balance.”
The international community faces a critical juncture: to renew its commitment to peace efforts and humanitarian support in Sudan, or risk allowing the nation to descend further into chaos. The people of Sudan await action, their hopes pinned on the world’s attention and intervention.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
