The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) yesterday urged the warring parties in Sudan to allow access to the residents of Al Fasher, a city in the North Darfur region.
A spokesperson for the ICRC stated that the main road to the city has become impassable, and despite repeated efforts, the committee has been unable to deliver relief supplies to Al Fasher. The spokesperson added that thousands of civilians are trapped.
A bloody power struggle has been raging in Sudan for approximately 16 months between the Sudanese Armed Forces headed by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, under the command of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. According to the United Nations, the conflict has triggered the largest refugee crisis in the world, with more than ten million people displaced or forced to flee, many of them multiple times. The conflict has also led to nearly 15,000 deaths.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and several aid organisations have warned of an imminent famine. Reports indicate that deaths have already occurred, particularly among infants and young children suffering from acute malnutrition.
The ICRC welcomed the Sudanese Sovereignty Council’s decision to open the Adré corridor with Chad for three months. Dozens of trucks carrying aid are already en route from there to West Darfur.
In a press release, the ICRC stated: “Any initiative that can improve humanitarian access is an important and encouraging development.”
However, the committee also noted that these three months coincide with the rainy season, and many roads have already become impassable due to severe flooding. Therefore, the International Committee urged the parties to “Keep the Adre crossing open to ensure the flow of aid.”
Sudan: aid trucks trickle into Darfur as army pauses delivery ban