New York [US], August 11: More than four million people have been displaced since fighting began in Sudan nearly four months ago, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
"After sixteen weeks of conflict in Sudan, more than 4 million people have been displaced within the country and across borders into neighbouring countries," said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN humanitarian coordinator in the north-eastern African country.
"Many of those trapped by the fighting have been unable - and in some cases actively prevented - from seeking safety elsewhere," Nkweta-Salami said. "And those that can escape face other dangers: They are vulnerable to abuse, theft and harassment during their journeys to safer areas."
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, EdemWosornu, the director of operations and advocacy at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that 1.4 million people fled their homes since June 23 alone.
"Sudan's descent into a full- blown humanitarian catastrophe has only deepened," Wosornu told the council, speaking on behalf of UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. Wosornu also said that 80 percent of hospitals across the country are not functioning and that 14 million children in Sudan - half of all children in the country - need humanitarian support.
Source: Qatar Tribune