A senior United Nations official revealed that over 20,000 people have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has lasted for more than 16 months. The director general of the World Health Organization shared this grim statistic during a news conference in Port Sudan, the country's Red Sea city. He emphasized that the actual death toll could be even higher, painting a dire picture of the situation in the northeastern African nation.
The conflict in Sudan erupted in April last year, stemming from tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces. This internal strife has transformed urban areas like the capital, Khartoum, into battlegrounds, leading to the destruction of civilian infrastructure and further straining the already fragile healthcare system. Many hospitals and medical facilities have been forced to shut down due to the lack of essential resources.
As a result of the violence, Sudan is facing the world's largest displacement crisis, with more than 13 million individuals being uprooted from their homes since the conflict began. Among them are over 2.3 million refugees who have sought shelter in neighboring countries. The fighting has been marred by heinous acts such as mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, prompting accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity from the UN and international human rights organizations.
In response to the deteriorating situation, human rights investigators backed by the UN have called for the establishment of an independent and impartial force to safeguard civilians. Both warring factions have been implicated in committing atrocities like murder, mutilation, and torture.
Adding to the woes of the Sudanese people are devastating floods that have struck 12 out of the country's 18 provinces in recent weeks, claiming numerous lives and causing significant damage to critical infrastructure. Furthermore, a cholera outbreak has emerged as a new threat, resulting in the deaths of at least 165 individuals and infecting around 4,200 others.
Amid these multiple crises, the WHO director general issued a plea for urgent international assistance to help Sudan overcome the nightmare it is currently enduring. He stressed the immediate need for a cease-fire to halt the bloodshed, emphasizing that peace is the most effective remedy for the country's deepening wounds.
