24 European countries warn of humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan

Twenty-four European and Western countries have voiced concern over the continued killing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure and targeting of humanitarian missions in Sudan.

In a joint international statement, the countries said air strikes and drone attacks on displaced people, health facilities and food convoys had resulted in a high number of civilian deaths and injuries, and had disrupted the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The statement said deliberate attacks on humanitarian workers or their vehicles “are contrary to international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.” It stressed the need for prompt and independent investigations into the alleged violations and for those responsible to be held to account.

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It added that the states of Darfur in western Sudan and Kordofan in the south-west are facing what it described as the world’s largest humanitarian and protection crisis. The statement referred to famine and sexual violence, as well as the displacement of 100,000 people in Kordofan alone in recent months.

The countries called on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied militias to respect international humanitarian law and to allow rapid and safe access for food, medicine and essential supplies to reach civilians. They also urged the protection of women and girls in particular, and safe passage for displaced people.  

Separately, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said on Wednesday he was alarmed by reports that more than 50 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Sudan on Sunday and Monday. 

Turk urged all parties to halt ongoing attacks. “The continued attacks by all parties on civilian objects must stop. The parties must take urgent measures to protect civilians, including by refraining from the military use of civilian objects,” he said.  

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