Time is running out to prevent widespread famine, according to United Nations agency heads who sought unhindered humanitarian access to distribute aid throughout war-torn Sudan on Friday.
The leaders of many UN organizations urged all sides in the conflict to immediately cease refusing and impeding humanitarian efforts in a joint statement.
“Let us be clear: If we are prevented from providing aid rapidly and at scale, more people will die,” the statement from the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee said.
“Without an immediate and major step change, we will face a nightmare scenario: A famine will take hold in large parts of the country. More people will flee to neighbouring countries in search of sustenance and safety. More children will succumb to disease and malnutrition.”
Martin Griffiths, the head of UN aid, and the directors of the UN agencies responsible for food, health, human rights, migration, refugees, agriculture, and children wrote the joint statement.
The committee, which includes representatives from 19 organizations, some of which are not affiliated with the UN, is the highest-level platform for humanitarian cooperation inside the UN system.
April of last year saw fighting break out in Sudan between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the regular army. In addition to thousands of deaths, the battle has caused a humanitarian crisis.
According to the statement, 3.6 million children were extremely malnourished, 18 million adults were severely hungry, and millions more were in danger of starvation.
Millions more people are internally displaced in Sudan, and nearly two million have fled to neighboring countries.
