Joint statement – May 5, 2023
The undersigned are closely following the developments of the armed conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan and are deeply concerned about the massive impact these events are having on the humanitarian situation in the country, as the events have left irreparable damage in essential sectors. And infrastructure, and resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians internally and towards neighboring countries.
As we extend our deepest condolences and solidarity with the Sudanese people who are going through this difficult ordeal, we stress the importance of dealing immediately with the urgent humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people and refugee communities inside the country without any bias or political interference.
It is a priority for humanitarian agencies to have secure humanitarian access to assess the needs of the Sudanese people affected by the internal conflict and to deliver humanitarian aid to all individuals in need, in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality.
From this standpoint, we urge all concerned parties, starting from governments and their ministries of foreign affairs through international governmental and civil organizations, to cooperate and make the necessary efforts to provide resources and secure urgent humanitarian aid for affected people.
The humanitarian response and the work of relief organizations in the country has stopped since the outbreak of armed conflict two weeks ago inside Sudan and in the border areas with neighboring countries, and the humanitarian situation has reached a breaking point. Therefore, we call on everyone to put pressure on the two parties to the conflict to cease firing immediately and work quickly to provide safe passages for aid and relief teams and to secure evacuations for the stranded and injured.