The humanitarian situation in Sudan is an absolute catastrophe, the UN said on Tuesday, as the country reels from almost 16 months of fighting between rival groups.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, Edem Wosornu, director of operations and advocacy division at the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said a staggering 26 million people are experiencing acute hunger.
“That’s the equivalent of New York City times three – full of starving families and malnourished children.”
Sudan is experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory, according to the UN, as continuing clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue with no end in sight.
More than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes as the country edges closer to full-scale famine.
“Our worst fears were confirmed last week,” Ms Wosornu said. “The Famine Review Committee concluded that famine conditions are present in Zamzam camp, close to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.”
The camp, home to about 500,000 people, is expected to face these dire conditions from August through October.
The report from the committee, released last Thursday, warned that famine is likely to persist from November to January 2025, driven by continuing conflict, restricted access and expected poor harvests.
Similar conditions are also believed to affect other sites in El Fasher, including the Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps.
Stephen Omollo, World Food Programme assistant executive director, emphasised the gravity of the situation.
“The World Food Programme and other humanitarian agencies have been warning for months of a widespread collapse in food security across the country,” Mr Omollo said.
In March, he said, the UN food agency reported that aid agencies were being obstructed from delivering food and essential supplies to significant areas of Sudan.
“But our warnings have not been heard. More than half of Sudan’s population is facing crisis levels of hunger, and the numbers continue to climb.”
On July 18, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged the council to “consider all tools at its disposal, including authorising aid to move from critical crossings, like at the Adre border, into Sudan”.
The Adre border crossing between Chad and Sudan was closed in February by Sudanese forces.
Russia and some other countries, however, have emphasised that any humanitarian co-operation should be co-ordinated through channels agreed on with Sudanese authorities, insisting that they remain the sole entity responsible for distributing aid.
UK deputy ambassador James Kariuki blamed both warring parties for the humanitarian crisis.
“The Sudanese armed forces are obstructing aid delivery into Darfur, including by shutting the Adre crossing, the most direct route to deliver assistance at scale,” he said.
He added that the continuing assault on Darfur by the RSF has forced thousands to flee and created the conditions for starvation to spread.
“It does not need to be this way. The warring parties, and those with influence, can take immediate action to prevent further suffering.”
Mr Kariuki called on both sides to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access.
This includes, he said, opening the Adre crossing, lifting bureaucratic obstacles and taking measures to protect aid workers so they can deliver food to starving communities.
The UAE urged the global community to address the famine gripping parts of Sudan.
"The world cannot turn a blind eye to this unfolding tragedy," the UAE's mission to the UN said in statement on X, describing the crisis as "man-made, preventable and not yet beyond the point of intervention".
The UAE reiterated its call for a permanent ceasefire in Sudan and pressed the warring factions to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid throughout the country.
"The council must act and utilise all available tools to increase the flow of aid into Sudan," it said.
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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Race card:
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh195,000 1,400m.
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 1,400m.
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Read more about the coronavirus
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
