Martin Griffiths, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, in Geneva, Switzerland.
On April 13, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Griffiths, published a signed article in the French newspaper Le Monde, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities between the two sides of the conflict in Sudan.
In the article, he said that in full view, two Sudanese generals have unleashed a conflict that has displaced more than 8 million people, most of them women and children. The conflict has also triggered ethnic violence and disease, destroyed lives and livelihoods, destroyed the pillars of society — health care, education, agriculture — and put half of the population — some 25 million people — in need of assistance.
Cessation of hostilities
Griffiths said the fighting is continuing despite calls from the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and countless other leaders and institutions for a ceasefire during the past Ramadan. Clearly, we need to intensify diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire and to reach a negotiated political solution to end the conflict as soon as possible.
He said we know that a political solution will not be reached overnight. At the same time, however, we need those who have influence over the parties to the conflict to exert their influence and compel the parties to the conflict to abide by the declaration of commitment they signed in Jeddah 11 months ago. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) pledged to protect civilians and facilitate the passage of assistance, but they largely failed to deliver on that promise.
Secure access
Griffiths said providing safe and unfettered humanitarian access is essential. Over the past year, more than 20 aid workers have been killed and tens of thousands of tons of supplies have been looted in Sudan. Humanitarian groups – first and foremost local organizations and courageous frontline volunteers – are sustaining aid operations. However, humanitarian assistance can do more if the parties commit to an ongoing humanitarian dialogue and open access and allow for transport.
What we need, he said, is being able to reach all those in need, wherever they are, through all possible avenues, whether across borders or lines of conflict. Nearly 5 million people are likely to face famine in the coming months, the vast majority of whom live in the most inaccessible areas of Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Aj Jazirah. He stressed that to prevent aid from reaching there is to starve the local population.
Humanitarian response
France, Germany and the European Union will host an international humanitarian conference in Paris tomorrow to assist Sudan and its neighbours, Griffiths said. He noted that the meeting provided a platform for action. There is no time to wait. The UN's humanitarian appeal for Sudan this year is currently only 6% funded, while $2.7 billion is actually needed to help Sudan's 15 million most vulnerable people, and now we have only 1. $5.5 billion.
Griffiths said the international community can stop the famine from spreading in Sudan, but it must act now. He urged States to pledge generously and then honour their pledges.
He said that it was time for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities. The Paris Conference must be translated into tangible results: more access for humanitarians, more funding for the response, and more diplomatic efforts to end the war.
He said that after a year of war, there must be a ray of light at the end of the tunnel of darkness and death. Millions of people in the Sudan have lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones, and we cannot afford to let them lose hope as well.
