Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of MSF, urged the UN Security Council to take immediate action concerning the devastating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which has seen two years of violence, mass displacement, and famine. He outlined the escalating atrocities committed against civilians, the severe impact on medical facilities, and the systemic obstacles facing humanitarian aid. Lockyear called for a new compact to enhance civilian protection and improve aid delivery in a conflict that continues to affect millions.
On October 30, 2023, Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), addressed the United Nations Security Council to urge urgent action regarding the ongoing war in Sudan, which has inflicted two years of violence causing mass devastation. Lockyear highlighted that millions have been displaced, and tens of thousands have lost their lives amid a worsening famine, yet the response to this humanitarian crisis has been inadequate.
The current conflict primarily waged by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has escalated civilian suffering through indiscriminate bombings and widespread atrocities, including sexual violence and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. Lockyear recounted the horrendous conditions faced by patients at MSF-supported facilities in Khartoum and South Darfur, where hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties and essential services are severely disrupted.
Particular emphasis was placed on the systematic targeting of communities, especially in West Darfur, resulting in substantial casualties among civilians. An alarming number of survivors of sexual violence were reported, with many victims being young girls and women assaulted while performing daily tasks.
MSF currently operates across Sudan, encountering alarmingly high malnutrition rates, and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases amidst a convoluted humanitarian access landscape. While some progress has been made, including improved visa processing and specific humanitarian routes, these efforts remain overshadowed by the overwhelming demands of the situation.
Lockyear condemned the bureaucratic and security challenges impeding humanitarian operations, as well as the exploitative practices employed by armed groups to impose restrictions on aid delivery. He asserted that assertions of sovereignty should not be utilized to restrict essential humanitarian assistance, emphasizing that the suffering of civilians must become the priority.
In the face of these egregious challenges, Lockyear called for urgent reforms in the humanitarian response, stressing that the current systems have proven inadequate. He underlined the necessity of a new compact to ensure civilian protection, facilitate unrestricted aid access, and eliminate political interference.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan necessitates immediate and effective action, as millions of lives depend on re-evaluating failed strategies and enacting substantial reforms. He urged the UN and member states to enhance their commitment to this pressing situation, particularly as the rainy season approaches, worsening the hunger gap and the plight of civilians in Sudan.
The briefing by Christopher Lockyear to the UN Security Council exemplifies the urgent need for decisive action in Sudan amid a relentless humanitarian crisis. The situation demands an immediate shift in strategies to ensure civilian protection and facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. As millions continue to suffer, the response requires robust political will, increased funding, and a renewed commitment to uphold the dignity and survival of the affected populations.
Original Source: www.msf.org
