Sudan: UN Appeal for Humanitarian Access

Agencies – Sudan Events

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, appealed for improved humanitarian access to all those in need of assistance in Sudan.
He said that relief materials reach only a very small number of the millions in need.
Griffiths added that obstacles to humanitarian efforts include complex bureaucratic procedures regarding humanitarian supplies arriving in Port Sudan, including customs clearance and inspection, which may take several weeks.
United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that trucks loaded with aid are unable to move due to fierce fighting, including the humanitarian center in the city of Wad Medani, which was looted and cannot work due to the violence.
He pointed out that aid workers in Sudan are being arrested and killed, and drivers are being beaten and extorted to extract money from them.
Martin Griffiths stressed the need to allow relief workers for humanitarian access in Sudan, calling for the protection of civilians and an end to the fighting.
In response to journalists’ questions, United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the Secretary-General spoke by phone with Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti,” the Rapid Support Commander.
He added that the Secretary-General during the call, which came at the request of Hemedti, renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire and to ensure humanitarian access to all areas in Sudan.
The Secretary-General also stressed the need to create favorable conditions for a process that includes all components of civil society on the path to returning to the constitutional system.