two Red Cross drivers killed, three employees injured

Two drivers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were killed and three employees injured by armed men on Thursday in the South Darfur region of Sudan, the ICRC announced in a press release in Geneva.

“The team returned from Layba to assess the humanitarian situation of communities affected by armed violence in the region” when the tragedy occurred, the press release specifies.

Tragedy

“We are deeply grieving for our dear colleagues. We extend our sincere condolences to their families and hope for a speedy recovery to our injured colleagues.”, declared Pierre Dorbes, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. The ICRC’s priority is to support those most affected by this tragedy, in particular the families, relatives and colleagues of the victims, underlines the press release.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been the scene of a war opposing the army of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane to the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (FSR), under the command of General Mohamed Hamdane Daglo. The ICRC “calls for the immediate protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical personnel. They must never be the target of direct attacks..

Thousands of deaths

Since the start of the war, sexual and ethnic violence and scorched lands have resumed in Darfur. The war has already caused thousands of deaths, destroyed Sudan’s already precarious infrastructure and displaced more than 8.5 million people, according to the UN. Added to the violence are fears of famine in this country of 48 million inhabitants. According to the World Food Program (WFP) in Darfur, where a quarter of the Sudanese population lives, “there is 78% less food compared to last year”.

The ICRC has been present in Sudan since 1978 and since April 2023 and the start of hostilities, the organization has notably provided medical equipment to hospitals located near or in conflict zones, helped separated families to stay in contact with their loved ones and promotes international humanitarian law. The ICRC is also working with local water authorities to improve people’s access to drinking water, the press release said.