Port Sudan, March 23(Darfur 24)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) condemned the looting of humanitarian aid intended to save the lives of malnourished children and provide essential healthcare for mothers and newborns from Bashayer Hospital in Jebel Awliya locality, south of Khartoum.
UNICEF said in a statement obtained by Darfur24 that the looting of 2,200 boxes of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) puts the lives of more than 2,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition at risk.
The looting of these supplies is considered a disaster for more than 100,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition. The looted nutritional supplements also included iron and folic acid supplements intended for 6,000 lactating and pregnant women.
The statement explained that the looted items included midwifery kits and primary healthcare supplies intended to assist more than 132,980 mothers, newborns, and children.
It stressed that the looting of Bashair University Hospital, one of the last functioning medical facilities in Jebel Awliya locality, exacerbates the already horrific humanitarian disaster facing children and their families in the area.
It added: “Commercial supplies and humanitarian aid have been cut off from the area for more than three months due to the ongoing conflict on the main roads, resulting in a severe shortage.” In food, medicine, and other essentials.”
It added, “The loss of these supplies, coupled with the forced cessation of humanitarian operations due to the deteriorating security situation, is pushing children to the brink.”
UNICEF was able to deliver the looted relief on December 20, 2024, the first shipment of relief supplies to enter Jebel Awlia in more than 18 months.
“The theft of vital humanitarian relief supplies intended for malnourished children is horrific and a direct attack on their lives,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
“These inhumane acts targeting vulnerable children must end. All parties must abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and ensure safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to those in need.”
Jebel Awlia is one of 17 localities facing the risk of famine, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) update.
Sudan is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with more than 24.6 million people—more than half the population—suffering from high levels of acute food insecurity.