Smoke rises over the city as army and paramilitaries clash in power struggle, in Khartoum, Sudan, April 15, 2023, picture obtained from social media. @lostshmi/via REUTERS

Sudan: Fighting in densely populated areas endangers civilian lives; Humanitarian organizations must be able to reach those in need

Khartoum (ICRC) – As clashes continue in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities, heavy gunfire and blasts are happening in the proximity of densely populated residential areas and civilian infrastructure with civilian casualties being reported in various locations.
News release 16 April 2023 Sudan

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) calls on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes facilitating the work of humanitarian organizations, taking all feasible precautions to avoid civilian injuries and loss of life, ensuring quick access and safety for ambulances and medical personnel, and treating all detainees humanely.

"We are extremely worried that the fighting is affecting densely populated areas. People are seeking cover in their houses," said Alfonso Verdu Perez, the head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan. "We call on all parties to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations so that we can help those in need."

People living in large cities like Khartoum are heavily dependent on public infrastructure. Any damage to these facilities can disrupt essential services like healthcare, water and power. The ICRC, together with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), is closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in Khartoum and other parts of the country and is ready to respond to urgent humanitarian needs once the situation allows.

For more information, please contact:

Germain Mwehu, ICRC Khartoum, tel : +249 91 215 0735, gemwehu@icrc.org
Jessica Moussan, ICRC Dubai, tel: +971 50 425 4091, jmoussan@icrc.org 
Alyona Synenko, ICRC Nairobi, tel: +254 716 897 265, asynenko@icrc.org

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