United Nations: Vital supplies dwindle and healthcare system threatened in Sudan amid unrest
KHARTOUM, April 20 (IANS) Amid ongoing unrest in Sudan, people are running out of food, fuel and other vital supplies, and the healthcare system is in danger of collapse, UN humanitarian staff said.
“We urgently need a humanitarian pause so that wounded and sick civilians can reach hospitals,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“For days, people in the capital, Khartoum, have not been able to leave their homes safely to buy food and other essentials.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported severe disruption of the relief and response system and called for an end to attacks against aid workers and looting of humanitarian facilities, reports Xinhua news agency.
She said humanitarian actors must be able to do their work safely, and aid agencies must be able to safely move staff and replenish vital supplies.
“We are concerned that Sudan’s healthcare system could completely collapse,” said UN humanitarian workers. “Hospitals need more staff, supplies and blood.”
The World Health Organization listed 16 hospitals across Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum, that had been forced to close due to the attacks.
The World Health Organization said 16 more hospitals, including in Darfur states, may close soon due to staff fatigue and lack of supplies.
The fighting that broke out on the morning of April 15 between the Sudanese Armed Forces in Khrutum has so far left some 270 people dead and more than 2,600 injured, while gunfire and explosions can still be heard across the capital.
The violence, which stems from a bloody power struggle between Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, has also spread to other regions of the country, including Darfur to the west. .
As a result of the unrest, thousands of civilians have fled Khartoum and foreign countries are trying to evacuate their citizens amid a sixth day of heavy fighting.
“We condemn all attacks on health workers, facilities and ambulances – which are putting more lives at risk,” OCHA said.
“These are flagrant violations of international law, and they must stop now.”
– Jans
ksk/
