TRANSCRIPT
Described as a 'forgotten war', it’s the one-year anniversary since the start of fighting in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The war has pushed more than 8 million people to be displaced, killed more than 14,000 and has left around 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
The United Nations describes the situation in Sudan as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres says there needs to be a bigger push from across the world for a ceasefire in Sudan.
“Indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. Aid convoys have been targeted. Humanitarian personnel and warehouses have been attacked. Women and girls are subject to rampant sexual violence. And meanwhile, the impact of the conflict is spilling across borders. The main problem is clear. There are two generals that have opted for a military solution, and they have until now obstructed all serious efforts of mediation.”
In an international humanitarian conference in the French capital Paris, France, Germany, and the European Union met to discuss Sudan and neighbouring countries.
The conference brought together ministers and representatives of 58 States, including groups such as the African Union and the World Health Organisation.
French president, Emmanuel Macron says international donors have pledged more than 3 billion dollars in humanitarian aid for Sudan in line with the year-long anniversary.
The European Union accounted for close to half of the total aid pledges.
Mr Macron says the aid will go towards food, water, medicines and other urgent needs, but he's pushing for more support in Sudan.
“Today, from this mobilisation, all of our presence, it sends a clear message we are sending to the belligerents. We are making a solemn appeal out of respect for international humanitarian rights and for the protection of the civil population. We are exhorting them to install a ceasefire without delay in order to enable humanitarian organisations to reach the entirety of those Sudan who are in need. We are calling for the reopening of every entry point along the borders to enable the transport and efficient delivery of aid. No zone should remain isolated. Access to humanitarian aid mustn't be instrumentalised for military ends.”
In Australia, there are calls for more support in Sudan.
Dr Annabel Dulhunty works with the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
She says Australia focuses a lot on defence, but it should invest more into helping with the root causes.
“The conflict for example in Sudan at the moment and tiny amounts of humanitarian assistance in many cases. And we see how the defence solution is often the sort of last minute thing that a country can do. We need to actually invest in, in peace. And the only way to invest in peace is to look at issues of poverty and issues of inequality globally. So I think aid spending actually is a long term prospect for Australia and global peace.”
The United Nations humanitarian campaign says they need around $4.2 billion ((US$2.7 billion)) to get food, health care and other supplies for Sudan.
In a statement, the Norwegian Refugee Council's country director in Sudan, Will Carter, says the pledges represented only half of the $6.2 billion ((US $4 billion)) needed in Sudan and in neighbouring countries.
He says the test for the international community will be in the weeks and months to come.
