Global Courant 2023-04-27 10:48:21
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UN Special Representative for Sudan has called the rival military factions that have plunged the country into chaos during 11 days of fighting to fully adhere to the agreed 72-hour ceasefire amid growing concerns over reports of intercommunal violence and attacks in the Western Region Darfur.
Volker Perthes, who is also head of the UN Transition Assistance Mission UNITAMS, welcomed the lull in fighting in some parts of the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries. be fully respected”.
He called on both sides to abide by the last day of the agreed ceasefire, “and to facilitate humanitarian access” to the UN and partners, who continue to provide life-saving aid as conditions allow.
Mr Perthes, who remains in Sudan along with senior UN personnel, said in a statement he was “deeply concerned about recent reports of violence in El Geneina (Western Darfur), which appears to be increasingly taking on intercommunal dimensions with attacks on civilians and looting and distribution of weapons among local communities.”
UN buildings looted
He said attacks had also led to “other massive looting, including of UN buildings”.
He again called for an immediate end to the conflict between the two factions, which cannot agree on the integration of their armed forces ahead of a long-awaited transition to civilian rule, before the violence and destruction escalate.
The UNITAMS chief called for the protection of all aid workers – their facilities and resources – and told the generals it was “critical” for civilians to be able to safely leave areas of active combat and access “essential supplies”.
He welcomed the continued efforts of local authorities in the region to de-escalate tensions and pledged to work with all parties “towards a sustainable ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism, political negotiations and the alleviation of human suffering.”
In Geneva, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the violence devastating Sudan had “taken a terrible toll on health”.
More deaths from disease
“In addition to the number of deaths and injuries caused by the conflict itself, the WHO expects many more deaths to occur from outbreaks, lack of access to food and water and disruptions to essential health services, including immunization,” he said.
The WHO estimates that one in four of the lives lost to date could have been saved with access to basic emergency medical care for the injured.
“But paramedics, nurses and doctors cannot access injured civilians and civilians cannot access services. In the capital Khartoum, 61 percent of health facilities are closed and only 16 percent are working normally.”
24,000 deliveries, no hospital care
Many patients with chronic diseases, such as kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, do not have access to the health facilities or medicines they need and about 24,000 women will give birth in the capital in the coming weeks, “but they currently do not have access to maternal care. care,” said Tedros.
The risk of diarrheal diseases is high, as the water supply has been disrupted and people drink river water to survive, the WHO chief noted.
“With feeding programs suspended, 50,000 children are at real risk; and the movement of citizens seeking safety threatens the fragile health system across the country.”
Since the start of the conflict, WHO has verified 16 health attacks, with at least eight deaths so far.
Thousands fleeing the fighting
As the fighting continues, the UN is preparing for a massive influx of refugees into countries in the region bordering Sudan, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Wednesday.
The refugee office UNHCRestimates that some 270,000 people could flee to South Sudan and Chad alone.
“In South Sudan, our humanitarian partners are increasing their presence in key areas to help the most vulnerable people,” said Mr. Haq. “In Chad, UNHCR is working with the government to assess the needs of people arriving in the country.”
UNHCR calls on all countries neighboring Sudan to keep their borders open to those fleeing the violence, fearing for their lives.
Have pity on the children: lives must come first
In a joint statement, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts, Virginia Gamba, and Special Representative for Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, said they were concerned about the reported number of civilian casualties, including children.
“The life, protection and well-being of children must take precedence over combat operations, and we call on all sides to cease hostilities and ensure full protection of all children.
“Parties should further refrain from attacking civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law, particularly those affecting children – this includes schools and medical facilities, as well as water and sanitation facilities,” the two officials said.
They also reminded military officers involved in the fighting that “regardless of their role, under no circumstances should children under the age of 18 be involved in armed conflict, as the recruitment and use of children is prohibited under international law.”
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