In Sudan, a real humanitarian catastrophe after a year and a half of war

While the conflict in Sudan has already left tens of thousands dead, Russia has vetoed a ceasefire proposed by the United Nations.

It is a forgotten war and it is undoubtedly the most serious humanitarian crisis facing the planet. Sudan has been ravaged by war for a year and a half now. It has left tens of thousands of civilians dead, 11 million displaced and 26 million people affected by food insecurity and increasingly by famine. The UN is incapable of stemming this tragedy. At the Security Council, Russia vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire on Monday, November 18. However, NGOs continue to warn, such as Solidarités International which has been working in Darfur for several months.

Solidarités International describes a catastrophic humanitarian situation, particularly in Darfur. There is no water, no food, no medicine. Pockets of famine threaten to expand. Children are the first population affected. The regional director of this NGO, Justine Muzik Piquemal, regional director, returns from three weeks on site: “All the cumulative crises are going at best, if I may say so, towards children with physical and mental growth delays, and at worst towards an entire population that will die of hunger.”

“It's been two years since children were vaccinated against measles. We know that measles kills children.”

Justine Muzik Piquemal, from Solidarités International

at franceinfo

Today, only around fifteen NGOs operate with difficulty in the field. Their convoys are sometimes blocked by the belligerents. On the other hand, the United Nations organizations are completely absent from the country, paralyzed by the UN Security Council, in particular by the Russians who vetoed a ceasefire proposal.

“The negotiation taking place today on humanitarian access is extremely political, so we must depoliticize it and return to basic humanitarian principles, the neutrality of the United Nations, of the NGOs working in the area”believes Justine Muzik Piquemal. Without UN help, the worst is yet to come. In five months, it will be the rainy season and entire areas of Sudan will be inaccessible.