UN: Funding Shortages Hinder Protection of Civilians in Sudan

Agencies – Events
The United Nations has warned that a lack of funding is hampering the protection of civilians in Sudan.
The UN stated that the funding shortage threatens efforts to protect civilians in Sudan, particularly women, children, and the elderly, and limits its ability to provide humanitarian aid and curb the escalating conflict in North and West Kordofan states, where civilians face direct violence including killings and sexual assaults.
Stephan Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, told Al Jazeera that UN agencies face significant difficulties in delivering relief due to the funding shortfall, at a time when the number of refugees and displaced people is rapidly increasing.
Dujarric confirmed that the UN will engage with all parties next week in an attempt to halt the conflict, highlighting the urgent need for international support to ensure continued humanitarian operations.
The UN spokesperson called on the international community and donors to provide funding as quickly as possible and stressed the need for influential countries to pressure the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces to stop the fighting, noting that the UN cannot operate alone amid current complexities and multiple field and political challenges.
Stephan Dujarric emphasized that the rising violations place civilians in a “vulnerable position,” making it difficult to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need.
The three Kordofan states (North, West, and South) are witnessing violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces as part of a war that broke out in April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of around 13 million people.