New York, March 26( Darfur24)
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed grave concern over the continuing attacks on civilians throughout Sudan.
He noted reports from North Darfur that dozens of people were killed in an airstrike targeting a market about 40 kilometers northwest of El Fasher.
A Sudanese military aircraft launched an airstrike on Monday on the weekly market in the Tora area of North Darfur, causing deaths whose number remains unknown.
In his daily press conference, the UN spokesperson said, “Our humanitarian colleagues are deeply concerned about the escalation in attacks on populated areas in Khartoum.”
He reported that in eastern Khartoum on Monday, reports were received of civilians killed and injured in an artillery attack on a mosque during evening prayers. Civilian casualties were also reported on Sunday as a result of heavy shelling in Omdurman.
“We once again remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to take all feasible measures to avoid harm,” Dujarric said.
The UN spokesperson noted that ongoing hostilities and recent funding cuts by major donors have severely disrupted health services in Sudan, including in the Darfur region.
He added that in the past month alone, nearly half of the reported attacks on healthcare facilities in Sudan occurred in Darfur. He said that health partners reported that most facilities in the region had only one to two months of supplies left, with severe shortages in North and South Darfur states.
He emphasized that the UN and its partners continue to do all they can to meet the growing needs, despite funding shortfalls and access constraints due to the ongoing hostilities.
UN partners estimate that nearly 58,000 people, including displaced persons, returnees, and residents, in North Kordofan are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Dujarric explained that a health partner is now operating a facility and a mobile clinic, and food and non-food items are planned for distribution.
He said, “We continue to urge the international community to intensify its support for the humanitarian response in Sudan—by increasing funding and pressuring all parties to protect civilians, as is their duty, as well as aid workers—and to ensure safe and unhindered access to those in need.”