Here’s the translation to American English:
This Friday, the United Nations headquarters was the setting for a discussion focused on the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, a country plunged into a devastating conflict since April 2023, when a power struggle erupted between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces. This confrontation has triggered a spiral of violence that has left over 15 million children in need of assistance, with an alarming one-third suffering from acute malnutrition.
During the Security Council meeting, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Africa, Martha Pobee, warned about the increase in indiscriminate airstrikes carried out by both sides. Fighting has reached critical levels, especially in the Kordofan region, considered the epicenter of the violence.
“Too many lives have been lost. Too many traumas have been inflicted. The risk of a regional conflagration is too high for this conflict to continue,” Pobee stated, urging the international community to intervene urgently. In this context, Joonkook Hwang, chair of the Committee established under Security Council Resolution 1591, highlighted efforts since 2005 to implement an arms embargo and targeted sanctions to facilitate a return to peace in Darfur. However, the violence has not ceased, leading the Committee to reaffirm its commitment to work with all parties to mitigate the conflict.
The impact on the population is devastating, exacerbated by heartbreaking testimonies from organizations like PAEMA. Shayna Lewis, a representative of the organization, mentioned a distressing case: a girl severely injured by a stray bullet who was treated at the Al Nao Hospital in Khartoum, as well as the discovery of sixteen cases of rape involving children under five, including four infants just one year old, according to data from the United Nations Children’s Fund.
Despite the risks, health workers continue to volunteer to care for their communities without pay for the past two years, facing inadequate conditions and constant attacks. The recent destruction of the country’s only cardiac MRI machine by the Rapid Support Forces is an example of the challenges they face.
Despite the despair surrounding the situation, Lewis highlights a glimmer of hope in the Sudanese people, who continue to yearn for peace, justice, and freedom. “Sudan is a place of hope, but you have to open your eyes and heart to hear it,” she concluded, emphasizing the resilience of a people still fighting for a better future amidst adversity.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
