FALCON POWERS – The United Nations said on Friday that it had only received 12% of a $2.7 billion appeal to help Sudan, which has been in civil war since last April. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned of a catastrophe in North Darfur.
Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), told reporters: “This is not just an underfunded appeal, this is a catastrophically underfunded appeal.” He stressed that 25 million people in Sudan are in dire need of humanitarian aid.
He added: “If more resources don’t come in quickly, the humanitarian organizations won’t be able to scale up their efforts in time to avert famine and prevent further deprivation of the basics.”
He continued: “In Sudan, half the population needs humanitarian assistance. Famine is looming. Disease is looming. Fighting is closing in on civilians, especially in Darfur. Now is the time for donors to fulfill the pledges they have made and intensify their efforts and be part of changing the current trajectory that is leading to a precipice.”
The United Nations expressed growing concern in recent days about reports of fierce fighting in densely populated areas as the Rapid Support Forces seek to take control of El-Fasher, the last major city in the Darfur region that is not under their control.
The UN said the country’s people are “trapped in a hell of violence.”
“Catastrophe” in El-Fasher
In this context, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday that he is “appalled” by the escalation of violence near the city of El-Fasher, adding that he had discussions this week with the leaders of the parties to the conflict, warning of a humanitarian disaster if the city is attacked.
Hundreds of thousands are taking refuge in El-Fasher, without basic supplies, amid fears that the nearby fighting may turn into a full-scale battle for control of the city, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the Darfur region.
Control of El-Fasher would give a major boost to the Rapid Support Forces, as regional and global powers try to push the sides to negotiate an end to the 13-month war in Sudan.
