Christopher Lockyear, MSF Secretary General, urged the UN Security Council to act on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. He described the two-year conflict as a “war on people,” stressing its catastrophic impact on civilians, worsening famine, and the dire need for humanitarian assistance amidst overwhelming bureaucratic hurdles.
The Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Christopher Lockyear, addressed the United Nations Security Council, urging immediate action regarding the ongoing conflict in Sudan. He emphasized the catastrophic effects of two years of continuous violence, resulting in mass displacement, fatalities, and famine, coupled with a concerning lack of global response to the crisis.
Mr. Lockyear outlined that the conflict constitutes a “war on people,” substantially harming civilians as combatant groups, including the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, perpetuate violence. The situation is compounded by bombings in populated areas, sexual violence, and sieges that obstruct humanitarian aid and devastate medical facilities, significantly increasing the suffering of the civilian population.
He recounted his visit to Omdurman where he witnessed severe injuries resulting from military aggression. Al-Nao hospital, amidst strikes, attempted to provide care despite overwhelming numbers of injured. The deteriorating conditions across Sudan reflect the urgent humanitarian crisis, especially as hospitals are forced to close due to escalating violence and logistical challenges.
In South Darfur, MSF teams cared for survivors of sexual violence, highlighting the targeting of women and girls. The humanitarian needs generated from civilian violence are central to the ongoing conflict and must be addressed. Though MSF operates numerous health facilities amidst escalating malnutrition and disease outbreaks, these efforts are insufficient to meet the overwhelming demands for assistance.
The bureaucratic barriers complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid, with significant delays and prohibitive costs for transport. Lockyear condemned the use of state sovereignty to impede humanitarian efforts and emphasized that humanitarian agencies should not be contorted to gain legitimacy.
Addressing the inadequacy of the current humanitarian response, he criticized the ineffective negotiation strategies that fail to address immediate needs. With a swiftly approaching rainy season exacerbating the crisis, he stressed the necessity of a new compact focused on civilian protection and unimpeded aid delivery, requiring political commitment and robust accountability mechanisms.
Concluding his address, Mr. Lockyear urged member states to escalate funding and support UN humanitarian agencies in Darfur, indicating that millions of lives rely on significant, transformative change in the global approach to this crisis.
In summary, Christopher Lockyear’s briefing to the UN Security Council paints a dire picture of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Emphasizing the urgent need for action, he calls for a new approach that prioritizes civilian protection and unimpeded humanitarian aid. The systemic barriers that obstruct assistance must be dismantled, and a commitment from the international community is essential to alleviate the suffering of millions. Without decisive action, the impact of the conflict will only worsen, with lives hanging in the balance.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
