During the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered an urgent plea to the international community, calling for swift action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Speaking at a high-level conference on Sudan, Guterres underscored the dire situation in the country, where ongoing violence, mass displacement, and human suffering continue to spiral out of control.
Guterres highlighted the alarming scale of the crisis, noting that millions of Sudanese people have been displaced due to the violence and conflict, many of whom have sought refuge in neighboring countries. He described the situation as “critical,” emphasizing that immediate humanitarian assistance is essential to alleviating the suffering of those affected.
The UN Secretary-General praised the courageous efforts of local responders, particularly women-led organizations, who have continued to provide life-saving aid in dangerous and volatile environments. Despite the immense risks, these groups are helping to provide food, medical care, and shelter to those in desperate need.
In his address, Guterres stressed the importance of ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it most, and that aid operations remain unhindered by the ongoing conflict. He also called for greater protection of civilians, urging all parties involved in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law.
One of the key points of Guterres’ address was the need to end the flow of weapons into Sudan, which he identified as a major driver of the violence. He called on the international community to take stronger measures to prevent arms from reaching the combatants and escalating the bloodshed.
Furthermore, Guterres called for peace in Sudan during the holy month of Ramadan, urging all parties to observe a ceasefire to allow for humanitarian relief efforts to be carried out without interruption.
In response to the growing humanitarian needs, the UN announced that next week it will launch a $6 billion humanitarian appeal. This plan aims to provide life-saving aid to millions of Sudanese citizens and refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, offering critical support in the form of food, medical supplies, shelter, and access to clean water.
The UN’s appeal comes at a time when the situation in Sudan is increasingly dire, and Guterres’ call to action serves as a stark reminder of the global community’s responsibility to respond with urgency and solidarity to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
