UPDATE - UN chief says attack against aid workers, civilian infrastructure in Sudan 'must stop'

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM PARTICIPANTS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – Violence in Sudan against aid workers and attacks on civilian infrastructure and humanitarian supplies “must stop,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged on Monday.

Guterres' remarks came during his opening speech in Geneva at the high-level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region, which he attended virtually.

“I urge the parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, to protect civilians and enable humanitarian action,” he said.

“I appeal to the parties to the conflict and the governments of neighboring countries to do everything possible to enable humanitarian aid workers to reach all people in need, both within Sudan and across borders.”

The UN chief also voiced concern over reports of attacks based on ethnic identities.

“I am particularly concerned by reports of gender-based and sexual violence, and by the ethnic dimension of the violence in Geneina. Targeted attacks against civilians based on their ethnic identities could amount to crimes against humanity,” he said.

Noting that in little more than two months, two million people have been forced from their homes, seeking refuge inside and outside Sudan, he emphasized that the current support is not meeting the needs.

"The funding for the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan and the Regional Refugee Response Plan do not meet the scale of this emergency," he said. "Of the $3 billion needed, less than 17% has been funded so far."

"I appeal to you all today to provide funding to deliver lifesaving humanitarian aid and support to people living in the most difficult and dangerous conditions," he concluded.

- Peaceful solution is ‘only solution’

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the prime minister and minister for foreign affairs of Qatar, called on the parties of the conflict to end hostilities, saying a peaceful solution is "the only solution" to this conflict.

He also pledged $50 million to support the Humanitarian Response Plan and the regional refugee plan.

German Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Katja Keul, for her part, urged the parties to the conflict to engage "in meaningful talks about a sustainable cease-fire without further delay."

Keul, behalf of Germany, pledged €200 million (nearly $218.5 million) assistance to Sudan and the region until 2024.

Janez Lenarcic, the European commissioner for humanitarian aid and crisis management, said that full respect for international law by all parties, safe committed access to the country and more funding are needed to help Sudan.

- ‘More resources needed’

The EU is increasing its pledge to more than €250 million for Sudan and neighboring countries in 2023, Lenarcic said and added that this alongside an additional pledge of €256 million from the member states brings in Europe's quarter pledge for Sudan to nearly €500 million.

"We urgently need similar levels of deliverance from other donors according to their capacity," he urged.

Martin Griffiths, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said: "We simply urgently and promptly need more resources to fund life-saving assistance. And we know that we can deliver on that assistance."

Griffiths pledged an additional $22 million for the central Emergency Response Fund to address priority needs, noting that $25 million has already been allocated from the fund to support humanitarian efforts in neighboring countries.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi drew attention to the lack of funds received so far, saying that it "is deeply distressing, and has grave consequences on people's lives."
The pledging conference is co-hosted by Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the EU.

Sudan has been ravaged by fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 15. Nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in the violence, according to local medics.