The situation in Sudan is unparalleled among today’s conflicts. According to the UN, 18 million Sudanese, three times the population of Norway, are at risk of famine if things do not change quickly. Almost 8 million people are displaced as a result of the war. And last week the World Food Program (WFP) announced that the country is on its way to becoming the world’s worst hunger disaster. ALMOST 15,000 KILLED IN ONE YEAR: Both sides have been accused of serious human rights violations by preventing humanitarian aid from reaching areas under the other’s control Photo: Zohra Bensemra / Reuters Access required – This war has now been going on for a year and it is now there is an urgent need for aid to reach the population, Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim tells news. The war has claimed at least 14,600 human lives. The fighting between the country’s two top military leaders, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his second-in-command, RSF militia leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, broke out in April last year. Both sides have been accused of serious human rights violations by preventing humanitarian aid from reaching areas under the other’s control. – It is a breach of international humanitarian law if you do not allow help to enter. It could also be a war crime, says Tvinnereim. NEEDS ACCESS: Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim tells news that there is an urgent need for emergency aid in Sudan. Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich / news Want help through neighboring countries The development minister says that neighboring countries must make arrangements for humanitarian aid to come through and for civilians to seek refuge there from the fighting inside Sudan. – Large groups of refugees have now made it across the borders to neighboring countries. It is important that the host countries look after these refugees, she says. – What kind of role can Norway play here? – First of all, we can contribute with humanitarian aid, but for it to be useful, the aid must come forward, says the development minister. Working with a democratic transition She also says that Norway is working with civil forces in Sudan to put in place a political track that can lead to a peaceful and democratic transition in the war-torn country. – You met former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok three weeks ago. What did he say about the situation? – He is distraught over the situation, but his project is, after all, to gather the civilian forces that can hopefully facilitate a democratic transition when these hostilities end, she says and continues: – But right now it’s about getting a ceasefire and humanitarian access. In February, the Norwegian Development Minister met Sudan’s former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. They discussed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the war-torn country. Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs The UN calls for a halt in fighting Last week, the UN Security Council asked that the parties halt hostilities in connection with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. RSF has taken a positive stance on a ceasefire during Ramadan. Last week, the authorities in the capital agreed for the first time to accept humanitarian aid sent via Chad and South Sudan, reports Reuters. The government in Sudan has said that they will decide which regions will receive the aid, they state in a statement.
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Norway demands humanitarian access to Sudan – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
