Brussels 02.03.2024 “We strongly condemn the recent ban by the Sudanese de facto authorities on the delivery of cross-border humanitarian assistance from Chad to Sudan to the civilians suffering at the hands of both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This is a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)” reads the joint statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on the ban on cross-border assistance from Chad.

“In the context of widespread hostilities, cross-border assistance is the lifeline to the people of Darfur. Denying access to vital aid for people in need, especially in conflict-affected regions, is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in what is now the largest displacement and protection crisis globally. We remind all parties to the conflict that the denial of humanitarian assistance can amount to a war crime under international law.

“This ban directly contradicts commitments made by the parties to the conflict in Sudan in the Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians and to facilitate increased humanitarian assistance. These commitments are essential for mitigating the impact of the conflict on civilian populations and ensuring their basic needs are met.

“We reaffirm the immediate need to guarantee safe, unimpeded, and uninterrupted humanitarian access within the country as well as across international borders. The ten months long conflict seriously deteriorated the food security outlook, disrupted the harvest season and destroyed livelihoods and health infrastructures. The massive looting of humanitarian supplies by the RSF and affiliated militias, prohibited by IHL, also contributed to this dire situation.

“The window to avert the worst is closing rapidly. Sudan is on a verge of a large-scale famine”.

Millions of people in Sudan’s Darfur region are at risk of dying of hunger after a decision by the Sudanese government to prohibit aid deliveries through Chad, an advocacy group for internally displaced people said last week.

The order effectively shuts down a crucial route for supplies to the vast Darfur region, controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army’s rivals in a 10-month civil war.

“The failure to receive urgent humanitarian aid puts millions of displaced people in Darfur at risk of death from hunger, which makes denying food and relief to the displaced a war crime,” the General Coordination for Displaced People and Refugees said in a statement.

Meanwhile in an another statement, the UN Secretary-General extended his “deep appreciation” to all international and national personnel of the United Nations Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan – UNITAMS.

“The United Nations is not leaving Sudan,” the UN chief insisted, as he noted that heavy fighting continues throughout the country between rival militaries that has displaced millions and created a worsening humanitarian emergency.

“(The UN) remains strongly committed to providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance and supporting the Sudanese people in their aspirations for a peaceful and secure future,” he said.

In a call to the Sudan’s warring parties to lay down their weapons, Mr. Guterres urged them to commit to “broad-based” peace talks and a transition to civilian-led democratic government.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, raised increasing concern on Friday that more refugees will cross into Chad from Darfur in the coming weeks amid a worrying lack of food and other essentials.

Almost a year since the start of the civil war between rival militaries in Sudan, neighbouring Chad urgently needs more humanitarian aid and significant development investment, the agency reported, especially in its eastern areas which are hosting the refugee influx.