The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan expressed deep concern about continued reports of attacks on civilian infrastructure, as “brutal fighting” continues across the country.
Clementine Nkweta Salami said in a press statement issued Thursday evening, “I am deeply concerned that facilities necessary for the functioning of basic services, including facilities and health care, are under attack in Sudan.”
The statement explained that in the month of October alone, there were several incidents, including the bombing of Al-Naw Hospital, the last operating hospital in Omdurman. This led to the death of two people and the injury of five others while medical workers were treating patients.
The coordinator’s statement explained that four other shells exploded near the hospital, killing two more people.
A water station was bombed
The UN coordinator added that the Al-Manara water treatment plant in Omdurman was bombed on October 21, which led to a temporary cessation of water supplies, expressing particular concern about this given the continuing outbreak of the cholera epidemic in Khartoum State and other parts of the country.
She also pointed out that damage to the station not only disrupts supplies for several days, but could lead to a long-term crisis affecting agriculture, industry and daily life.
Unspeakable suffering
The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan said that over the past six months she has repeatedly called on the Sudanese forces, the Rapid Support Forces and all parties to the conflict in Sudan to protect civilian infrastructure.
She stressed that international humanitarian law is clear in this regard : “All parties to an armed conflict must continually ensure that civilian objects – including individuals, humanitarian assets and basic infrastructure – are not exposed to such attacks.”
“The conflict has caused untold suffering in Sudan on an unprecedented scale,” Clementine Nkweta Salami added .
The UN official concluded her statement by saying, “When human dignity has gone out the window, little is sacred anymore, not even hospital wards crowded with sick and wounded children.”
United Nations