Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: In the strife-ridden landscape of Sudan, where nearly 25 million people are in dire need of help, the United Nations has managed to reach only a fraction of them. This was shared by Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the head of the UN’s humanitarian response in the region. The situation, exacerbated by an eight-month conflict between rival generals, has been described as “catastrophic” by Nkweta-Salami, who labels it the “forgotten war.”
The clash between Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has resulted in a death toll of over 12,190, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Since the entire region is cut off from external scrutiny, the actual figure of casualties is likely to be much higher.
Sudan is grappling with the highest displacement situation globally of around seven million people, a tragic reality overshadowed by other international conflicts. Despite the enormity of the crisis, humanitarian response efforts remain significantly underfunded, with only 38.6 per cent of the required $2.6 billion for 2023 secured.
The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS)’s Deputy Special Representative for Sudan NkwetaSalami warns of a looming crisis where even if physical access is retained, the lack of resources could hinder the delivery of essential assistance. The plight of Sudan, largely eclipsed by other global events, has seen aid groups disappear, leaving millions trapped in the crossfire of ethnic violence and bombardments.
Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, bemoans the lack of attention and resources for this “horrific mega-catastrophe.” Despite facing a population where more than half of Sudanese, or 24.7 million people, require humanitarian assistance, efforts have only reached approximately four million to date. The UN representative underscores the urgent challenges in health, water, sanitation, food, and malnutrition.
