The 'exceptional' situation in Sudan has led to the UN head deploying an envoy

 


As deadly battles approach a third week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is dispatching an envoy to the Sudan area in response to the "unprecedented" circumstances there, his spokesperson announced on Sunday.

The statement came as violence between the army and highly armed paramilitaries persisted in Khartoum despite a widely violated cease-fire being extended for another 72 hours.

Martin Griffiths, the UN's emergency assistance coordinator and the envoy, said in a separate statement on Sunday that the "humanitarian situation in Sudan is reaching breaking point."


I'm headed to the area to see how we can help the millions of people whose lives have been turned upside down over night, he added.

However, widespread looting of warehouses and offices belonging to aid organisations had "depleted most of our supplies. We are looking into quick solutions to bring in and distribute more supplies," he added.

He continued, "stopping the fighting" would be the "obvious solution."

Since fighting started on April 15, more than 500 people have died and tens of others have been compelled to flee their homes for safer areas at home or abroad.

In a statement announcing Griffiths' deployment, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the envoy will fly "to the region immediately in light of the rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan."

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