Inter-Agency Standing Committee Statement on Sudan: A call for urgent international response
The disastrous humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to require urgent action.
Two out of every three people need humanitarian aid. Nearly 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes since April 2023, including more than 4 million people who have sought safety in neighbouring countries. Around half the population, including millions of children, are food insecure, stalked by famine. Women and girls are experiencing horrific levels of sexual violence. Health care is under frequent attack even as a cholera outbreak spreads across the country.
Two days ago, El Fasher – under siege for more than 500 days – entered its most desperate phase yet as fighters made further inroads into the city and exit routes remained blocked. We have received credible reports of summary executions, attacks on civilians, house-to-house raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety.
We have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, for respect of international humanitarian law, and for unhindered humanitarian access. We renew those calls today — with greater urgency than ever.
We call on all parties and international actors to act now:
- Protect civilians and ensure safe humanitarian access.
- Hold accountable those responsible for violations and abuses.
- Use every lever of influence to stop the violence and end the siege of El Fasher.
- Fully fund humanitarian appeals that remain dangerously under-resourced.
The people of Sudan, and the local aid workers risking their lives every day to assist them, deserve the world’s solidarity, attention, and decisive action.
