David Lammy Spearheads Urgent Call to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

During a recent visit to Chad's border with Sudan, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was moved by the harrowing stories of women and children fleeing the ongoing civil war in Sudan. He condemned global indifference to the crisis and announced plans to convene regional partners to negotiate peace. Despite escalating needs, humanitarian aid remains insufficient.

David Lammy, the UK Foreign Secretary, expressed profound emotional distress after meeting refugees from Sudan during his visit to the Adré border with Chad. Families have been fleeing the brutal civil conflict that erupted between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in widespread violence, famine, and family separations.

Under an intense sun, Lammy observed firsthand the devastating impact of the conflict as dozens of women and children arrived, exhausted and desperate for safety. “It's some of the most horrific things I've ever heard and seen in my life,” he remarked, recounting tales of violence, starvation, and the suffering experienced by the refugees, predominantly women and children.

One poignant encounter included Halima Abdalla, a 28-year-old mother fleeing from Darfur. She shared her harrowing story of losing one of her children and becoming separated from her husband and two other children amidst the chaos inflicted by the violence. Aid workers at Adré have been striving to reunite families, often a heartbreaking task as some mothers faced the impossible decision of choosing which child to flee with.

After his discussions with refugees and aid workers, Lammy reflected on the urgent necessity to raise global awareness about the Sudanese crisis, which he characterized as being at the bottom of a “hierarchy of conflict.” He highlighted the stark reality where Sudan is often overlooked, despite it being the world's current most severe humanitarian crisis. In the past, Lammy has advocated for a ceasefire, yet faced setbacks such as the veto from Russia on a UN resolution on the matter.

With over 12 million people displaced since the onset of hostilities in April 2023, the humanitarian dire straits are further compounded by malnutrition. Lammy, who pushed for increased UK aid to Sudan, estimated that nearly half of the 50 million civilians in Sudan require urgent humanitarian assistance. He urged other donor nations to enhance their commitments to alleviate the humanitarian disaster.

The challenges have been exacerbated by the newly installed US administration’s foreign aid freeze, which many aid agencies warn could have devastating implications for already suffering populations. Despite the troubling backdrop, Lammy expressed resolve, stating, “We have to step up and wake up now to this huge, huge crisis." The need for aid has grown more urgent than ever, especially as the population of Adré has swollen due to the influx of refugees fleeing Sudan's relentless violence and hunger.

As marked humanitarian efforts are underway, including UN food deliveries, the situation remains critical, highlighting the imperative for immediate international action and cooperation to stabilize the region and assist those in desperate need.