11 children in Sudan die due to continued gun violence and neglect
Continuing Clashes in Sudan Leave Civilians in Dire Need
Sudan has been plagued with violent clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 15, 2019. Despite several declared ceasefires, the silence in the streets remains incomplete, leaving the civilians most affected by the conflicts.
The consequences of the ongoing battles in Sudan are dire. Caregivers in orphanages have fled the country, leaving those who remain in dire need. National press has reported that health services could not be provided to children in an orphanage in the capital city of Khartoum, resulting in 11 children dying due to malnutrition and neglect.
International efforts are continuing to resolve the crisis in Sudan. The African Union recently decided to hold an extraordinary meeting with the Sudanese agenda, and approximately 17 thousand tons of the food aid sent to the country for the Sudanese people was looted. However, the United Nations and aid groups are facing difficulties in transferring aid and personnel due to a lack of security guarantees.
According to the United Nations, the number of people affected by food insecurity in the country could exceed 19 million. This is a massive concern after considering the fact that approximately 11 million Sudanese residents already suffer from food insecurity.
Extending the State of Emergency in the Red Sea province for an additional three months is another attempt to combat the violent clashes. The Red Sea Security Committee announced that they have already arrested sleeper cells infiltrating the state and, to further ensure civilian safety, have enforced strict measures such as imposing a curfew and increasing checkpoints. The governor’s office declared a curfew in the city of Port Sudan from 23:00 to 05:00. These decisions were taken to neutralize existing sleeper cells caused by the infiltration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces militia, which has been in conflict with the army since mid-April.
The violence in Sudan has to come to an end to ensure sufficient aid can reach the vulnerable civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. International support is a must to provide the necessary aid, which must be delivered quickly before more lives are lost.
