UN Officials Urge Security Council Aid Access in Sudan Amid Famine Crisis

Senior UN officials have called on the Security Council to aid in providing humanitarian access to Sudan. The United States suggested using border crossings like Adre from Chad, but Sudan's government and Russia rejected the need for Council action. Over 15 months of war and aid restrictions have led to famine in North Darfur's Zamzam camp.

Senior United Nations officials made an urgent plea to the Security Council on Tuesday, seeking assistance in providing humanitarian aid to Sudan. They emphasized the need for aid to traverse borders and battle lines by air and land to combat famine, which has ravaged North Darfur.

In response, the United States suggested the Council authorize aid access through border crossings, such as Adre from Chad. However, Sudan's government and Russia dismissed the need for such intervention. Sudan's U.N. Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed assured the Council that the government is not obstructing aid deliveries.

Famine has gripped North Darfur's Zamzam camp for internally displaced people, a situation worsened by over 15 months of conflict. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) recently highlighted the crisis, but Sudan's government and Russia contested the findings. The international community, represented by senior UN officials, stressed the urgency of the situation and called for immediate action.

(With inputs from agencies.)