25 March
IRC warns that unfettered humanitarian access and scale-up of funding are needed to avert the catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan. The ongoing conflict has exacerbated severe food insecurity, affecting approximately 37% of the population, with 18 million people facing acute hunger, including five million at risk of famine. Urgent action is needed to ensure unfettered humanitarian access and increased funding to address this escalating crisis. (non-UN source, for reference only: IRC)
24 March
In his remarks during a press encounter with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry of Egypt, the Secretary-General, António Guterres, highlighted his fast during the Ramadan solidarity visit as well as having an iftar with Sudanese refugees in Cairo, expressing solidarity with the Sudanese people.
He stated that the resilience witnessed amid conflict during Ramadan is deemed inspiring, but it is distressing to observe war persisting despite global calls for peace and that Egypt’s generosity in hosting over 500,000 Sudanese refugees amid this crisis deserves recognition and increased support from the international community. (OSSG)
22 March
UN experts raised alarm over the surge in trafficking cases, particularly of women and girls, for sexual exploitation and forced marriage in Sudan, amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis resulting in over 9 million people being displaced.
Access to assistance for victims has deteriorated since December 2023, following eight months of conflict, with reports indicating young women and girls, including internally displaced persons, being trafficked for sexual exploitation and slavery, particularly in areas controlled by RSF forces. (OHCHR)
20 March
UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, strongly condemns the murder of journalist Khaled Balel in El Fasher, Sudan, urging a thorough investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable. Azoulay emphasizes the vital role of journalists in conflict zones and calls for their safety to be guaranteed, highlighting UNESCO’s commitment to protecting journalists worldwide.
Khaled Balel, serving as a journalist and media director at the Sudanese Supreme Council for Media and Culture and affiliated with the Sudanese Journalists Syndicate, was allegedly fatally shot at his home. (UNESCO)
20 March
In a United Nations Security Council High-Level Open Debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Maurizio Martina expressed deep concern over Sudan’s severe hunger crisis, exacerbated by almost 11 months of conflict, with 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.
He emphasized the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and highlighted the bleak agricultural outlook, calling for immediate donor support to prevent further deterioration in food security over the next 6-9 months. (FAO)
20 March
In a briefing to the Security Council, Edem Wosornu, speaking on behalf of Martin Griffiths, warned of a severe and rapidly worsening food insecurity crisis in Sudan after 11 months of intense conflict.
He highlighted widespread violence, attacks on civilians, and the destruction of critical infrastructure, leading to acute food shortages, malnutrition, and internal displacement, urging immediate action to prevent famine and address the escalating humanitarian disaster. (UN OCHA)
19 March
Between 2 and 17 January 2024, FAO, in collaboration with the Sudanese government, conducted its annual Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) to evaluate 2023 crop production and food supply across the country, recommending immediate aid for the most affected regions and support for agricultural recovery.
The report indicates a significant decline in cereal production in 2023 due to conflict-related challenges, including insecurity affecting agricultural operations, limited availability and high costs of inputs, erratic rainfall patterns, and trade disruptions. (FAO)
18 March
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) warned that after a year of conflict in Sudan, 24 million children face an imminent catastrophe, with their fundamental rights being violated. The committee called for an immediate cessation of violations and the cessation of child recruitment into the armed forces, highlighting widespread attacks on civilians, including children, and other grave violations of international law. (UN Human Rights)
15 March
Last week, the UNICEF team was led to Omdurman, Khartoum, the first mission since the conflict began in April 2023, aiming to assess conditions for children and observe UNICEF-supported initiatives. The team witnessed dire conditions in hospitals, including overcrowding, exhausted staff, and limited resources, highlighting urgent needs in the region, such as electricity and medical supplies. (UNICEF)
15 March
MSF warns of a hepatitis E outbreak in eastern Chad’s refugee camps housing over 550,000 Sudanese, worsened by poor sanitation and water scarcity. Hepatitis E, transmitted through contaminated water, poses a significant risk, especially to vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. (MSF)
15 March
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths warns that Sudan faces almost a year of continuous warfare, despite recent calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan. UNICEF representative Mandeep O’Brien stresses the urgent need for humanitarian access and increased funding to address the dire situation, with 14 million children requiring aid, many facing hunger, malnutrition, and displacement. (Source)