Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, has called on the international community, gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly, to focus on the plight of millions of people in Sudan, who have endured more than 17 months of conflict, resulting in one of the fastest-growing displacement crises and humanitarian emergencies globally.
In an official statement, Nkweta-Salami said, “Humanitarian workers across Sudan are urging the international community to intensify efforts to end the devastating conflict and ensure unrestricted access for aid. More than 150 relief organizations operating in the country must be able to reach the millions of people facing hunger, acute disease, and the threat of famine.”
She added, “The crisis in Sudan and the region will take center stage at the United Nations on Wednesday, September 25, when member states join the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency to call for urgent and collective support to address the humanitarian catastrophe and push for peace.”
Nkweta-Salami emphasized that the very purpose of the United Nations is to prevent wars and alleviate human suffering. “Every hour that passes means that women and children in parts of El Fasher, Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Sennar, and other conflict-affected areas are more likely to die from hostilities, malnutrition, or disease,” she said.
She revealed that an estimated 20,000 people have been killed, with thousands more injured since the conflict began. More than 10 million people have fled their homes, including 8.1 million displaced within Sudan and 2.4 million who have crossed borders into neighboring countries.
In recent days, at least 1,500 people were displaced from El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, following an escalation in hostilities. She urged all parties to halt attacks on civilians, homes, and essential facilities, such as hospitals, which are protected under international humanitarian law.
Nkweta-Salami expressed particular concern over the situation in El Fasher, following the Famine Review Committee’s confirmation of famine conditions in the Zamzam IDP camp in August. She warned that 13 other areas, including two additional IDP camps in North Darfur, are likely to face similar conditions and require urgent assistance.
Despite insecurity, access challenges, and funding constraints, humanitarian organizations have begun distributing emergency food aid to approximately 180,000 people in Zamzam camp. Additionally, after the reopening of the Adré border crossing between Chad and Sudan, UN relief agencies transported 135 trucks loaded with life-saving supplies for 520,000 people through the crossing.
“The food and aid provided to people in Zamzam camp, where famine conditions have been confirmed, is a testament to what the UN and humanitarian partners can achieve,” Nkweta-Salami said. “However, unrestricted access and additional funding are critical to reaching more people in dire need.”
She stressed that, nine months into 2024, the Sudan humanitarian appeal, which aims to raise $2.7 billion, remains less than 50% funded, limiting the response efforts of the UN and international and national NGOs on the ground, including in Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan.
