Africa Newsroom
The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has expressed her profound sadness and frustration over the ongoing armed violence that is wreaking havoc on the city of Al Fasher in North Darfur.
“This is heartbreaking and must stop. There is no excuse for direct attacks on civilians, their assets and essential facilities such as hospitals. These are protected under the International Humanitarian law. Parties to the conflict must refrain from targeting the city,” said Nkweta-Salami.
Initial reports indicate that large-scale fighting escalated in El Fasher City on 12 September threatening the lives of thousands of people, mainly in camps for internally displaced people. Healthcare facilities were also reportedly affected. The number of civilian casualties is yet to be established.
The conflict continues, devastating lives, livelihoods and essential infrastructure. El Fasher is home to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people at risk of famine, including in the Zamzam camp where famine has been confirmed. In addition, Sudan’s public health system has been devastated by the ongoing conflict with many facilities destroyed, looted, or abandoned, leaving more than five million people without access to healthcare services.
“These reprehensible attacks show the pointlessness of the armed violence in El Fasher. All parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations to the international humanitarian law and ensure civilians are protected from harm. These attacks in El Fasher violate every humanitarian principle,” added said Nkweta-Salami.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
Bongani Ndlovu