The war in Sudan has driven more than four million people from their homes since April, a top UN humanitarian official said on Wednesday.
Addressing the Security Council, Edem Wosornu, director of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Operations and Advocacy Division, said nearly four months into the conflict, millions of people remain “trapped in humanitarian calamity that continues to grow”.
The UN official underscored the alarming progression of Sudan's slide into an all-encompassing humanitarian disaster.
She said that about 3.2 million people have experienced internal displacement and an additional 900,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Ms Wosornu said more than 20 million people, or more than 40 per cent of the total population, are facing alarming degrees of acute food insecurity. She added that a staggering 14 million children in Sudan – half of the country's minor population – are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
“The intense fighting and difficult operating environments are constraining our ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, which is urgently required,” she said.
The UN official also expressed deep concern over accounts of ethnically motivated violence in West Darfur, describing them as “extremely alarming”.
Sudan was plunged into turmoil in April, triggered by escalating tension between the military, under the leadership of Gen Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, overseen by Gen Mohamed Dagalo.
The US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed concern over “unacceptable” threats made by Sudan to terminate the presence of the world body's mission in Sudan, in particular accusations levied at Volker Perthes, head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan.
On June 8, Unitams in Sudan was accused by Khartoum of stoking the country's conflict and ignoring the country's “national sovereignty”, with Gen Al Burhan demanding he be replaced.
“We were told yesterday that Volker would be briefing the council, and this morning, his name was pulled,” Ms Thomas-Greenfield told reporters following the council meeting.
“And we understand that happened because the Sudanese government threatened to pull Unitams out of Sudan if he briefed the council.”
She underlined the gravity of the situation, stressing that no country should possess the ability to “bully” a speaker into silence.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Meshakel, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Gervais, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Global Heat, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Firnas, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
Winner Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
Winner Wasim, Mickael Barzalona, Ismail Mohammed.
Disturbing%20facts%20and%20figures
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
if you go
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
