Andrew Harper, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees special advisor on climate action, emphasized today that the refugee situation in Sudan and neighbouring countries is deteriorating rapidly due to extreme heatwaves and flooding.
Most citizens are living in desert areas with no access to healthcare or shelter facilities for protection.
Speaking to the U.S. channel Alhurra, Harper stated, “Countries capable of offering assistance must do more to help the displaced in Sudan and uphold the dignity of those forced from their homes, unable to protect their families.
Women, in particular, are at constant risk of crimes and assaults, and we can take action by providing shelters, clean water, and sustainable energy.”
He stressed the need for stronger efforts and increased aid to support refugees and displaced persons in Sudan.
Harper called on nations to do more to end the ongoing conflicts and provide essential resources, including water, shelter, food, and proper clothing, as the humanitarian situation shows no signs of improvement.
Harper also pointed out that without sufficient support, refugees in Sudan may be forced to flee to Chad, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change and unable to cope with the refugee crisis on its own.
The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has called on the parties involved in the Sudanese conflict to refrain from targeting the city of El Fasher and to protect civilians, following reports of widespread fighting late last week.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed the organization’s deep concern over the situation in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state. Dujarric pointed out that initial reports indicate that health facilities and camps for displaced people have been affected by the recent fighting in the city.
