The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Thursday the killing of two of its drivers and the injury of three of its staff by armed assailants in South Darfur State, western Sudan.
In a statement, the ICRC reported that its team “was on its way back… to assess the humanitarian situation in communities affected by armed violence in the region.”
Since the outbreak of the war, the humanitarian organization has regularly facilitated prisoner transport and exchange operations between the army and Rapid Support Forces.
The war in Sudan erupted on April 15, 2023, between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The war in Sudan has resulted in the deaths of thousands and pushed the country, with a population of 48 million, to the brink of famine.
It has also destroyed the already fragile infrastructure and displaced over 8.5 million people, according to the United Nations.
The conflict in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has been ongoing for years, characterized by violence, displacement, and humanitarian crises.
Various armed groups, including government forces and rebel factions, have been involved in the conflict, leading to widespread human suffering and displacement.
The International Red Cross has been actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance and facilitating relief efforts in Sudan, working to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict. However, attacks on humanitarian workers and facilities pose significant challenges to delivering aid effectively in the region.
The recent incident highlights the dangers faced by humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones and underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
