Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Half a year of war has plunged Sudan into one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history.

With up to 9,000 people reportedly killed, more than 5.6 million driven from their homes and 25 million people in need of aid, the impact of this conflict on Sudan and the region cannot be overstated.

For six months, civilians– particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan – have known no respite from bloodshed and terror. Horrific reports of rape and sexual violence continue to emerge, and clashes are increasingly taking place along ethnic lines, particularly in Darfur.

Aid workers continue to be stymied in reaching people in need, hampered by insecurity and red tape.

At least 45 aid workers have been killed or detained since 15 April – almost all of them are national staff.

Even in areas we can access, humanitarians are hamstrung by underfunding: Just 33 per cent of the $2.6 billion required to help those in need in Sudan this year has been received.

Cholera is already stalking the country, with more than 1,000 suspected cases in Gedaref, Khartoum, and Kordofan states.

Basic services are crumbling. More than 70 per cent of health care facilities in conflict areas are out of service. The fighting is keeping 19 million children out of school, significantly setting back their education and the country’s future.

The result? Communities torn apart. Vulnerable people with no access to life-saving aid. Mounting humanitarian needs in the neighbouring countries where millions have fled.

This cannot go on.

It is time for parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. It is time for them to honor the commitments they made in Jeddah to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid. It is time for them to recommit to dialogue at the highest levels to end this conflict, once and for all.

It is also time for donors to step up their support.

The international community cannot desert the people of Sudan.