The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced on Thursday that 19 aid workers have been killed in Sudan since the start of clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April.
The statement issued by the office mentioned that “since the outbreak of conflict across Sudan in mid-April, the country has become one of the most dangerous and challenging places for humanitarian workers, with 19 aid workers killed in 17 attacks this year alone.”
“As the World Humanitarian Day on August 19 approaches, we regret the loss of our colleagues and call for accountability for the perpetrators of attacks on relief and aid workers,” the statement added, without indicating the responsible party for their deaths.
The statement highlighted that humanitarian facilities have come under attack, with at least 53 humanitarian aid warehouses and 87 offices looted, and 208 vehicles stolen until August 13th.
“With the ongoing fighting in Sudan, humanitarian workers in the country remain committed to doing everything they can to provide life-saving assistance to the millions in need of humanitarian aid, despite the challenges.”
“Attacks against humanitarian workers in Sudan must cease immediately.”
It urged “all conflict parties in Sudan to facilitate humanitarian work and protect those providing it,” while no immediate comments were made by the conflict parties regarding the UN statement.
Since mid-April, the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in clashes that a series of ceasefires have failed to halt, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths, mostly civilians, and over 4 million internally displaced and refugees inside and outside the country, according to the United Nations.