Source: United Nations (Video News)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Sudan
Sudan/Humanitarian
Security Council
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Myanmar
Democratic Republic of the Congo
South Sudan
Briefing Tomorrow
SUDAN
Today mark the second anniversary of the horrific war going on in Sudan, which has created the world’s biggest humanitarian and displacement crisis. Over 12 million people have fled their homes and more than 3.8 million of those have crossed into neighbouring countries.
More than 30 million people require humanitarian support. Half of the population of Sudan – some 25 million people – are acutely hungry. And as you well know, famine has been identified in at least five locations in the country and is projected to spread further.
In a statement to mark this grim milestone, the Secretary-General said that the only way to ensure the protection of civilians is to end this senseless conflict, adding that the external support and flow of weapons must end and those with greatest influence on the parties must use that influence to better the lives of people in Sudan, and they should not use that influence to perpetuate this disaster. The Secretary-General will continue to engage with regional leaders on means to enhance our collective efforts for peace. His Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, today is at the London Conference on Sudan and he told participants that he intends to intensify his interactions with interlocutors in Sudan and the broader region.
Mr. Lamamra added that urgent political engagement is needed to forestall Sudan’s permanent fragmentation, which would have obviously, grave consequences for the region and beyond. He reaffirmed our commitment to continue to back all efforts that seek to launch an inclusive and credible political process.
SUDAN/HUMANITARIAN
In a statement issued today, the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, described the conflict as a crisis of humanity, emphasizing that millions of lives are hanging in the balance. She called for the protection of civilians and aid workers, full respect for international humanitarian law and of course, an immediate end to the violence.
Like other conflicts and wars, this one in Sudan has a huge toll that is mainly felt by women and children.
The UN Women today said that there is a 288 per cent increase in demand for lifesaving support following rape and sexual violence, with sexual violence and rape being systematically used as a weapon of war in Sudan.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warns that the number of children in need of humanitarian assistance has doubled from 7.8 million in 2023 to more than 15 million today.
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remains deeply concerned by ongoing reports of mass displacement, mounting civilian deaths and continued access restrictions in North Darfur.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that up to 400,000 people have fled Zamzam camp in recent days, which is obviously due to the escalating insecurity in the camp. Most remain displaced within the locality of El Fasher, while others have sought refuge in the towns of Tawila and Dar As Salam.
As of today, Zamzam camp is inaccessible, and a communication blackout continues to hinder independent verification. Local sources are telling us that armed groups have taken control of the camp and are restricting the movement of those remaining, especially young people.
It is difficult unfortunately to verify the number of casualties due to the insecurities in North Darfur, but I can tell you that in the past three days alone, more than 400 people, including 12 humanitarian workers, have reported been killed in Zamzam and Um Kadadah in North Darfur, according to local NGOs. Among the casualties was the manager of a children’s centre in Zamzam, who died after being injured in shelling.
Eleven others were killed in an attack on a health facility operated by Relief International.
The UN urges all parties, yet again, to allow for safe, unhindered access for aid workers and to meet their obligations under international humanitarian law.
SECURITY COUNCIL
This morning, Security Council members met in closed consultations on Yemen. They heard from our Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, Ms. Edem Wosornu.
This afternoon at 3:00 pm, they will reconvene in close consultations to hear about the situation in Sudan. Ms. Wosornu will brief again.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=15%20April%202025