Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
the protection of civilians in Sudan.
"First, the United Kingdom expresses its alarm at the latest IPC
report confirming that famine is rapidly spreading in
Sudan.
As we've heard, children are acutely malnourished, preventable
disease is spreading and basic services collapsing. On current
projections, over 630,000 people face famine by May 2025.
Urgent action is needed now or more lives will be lost.
We are concerned that the Sudanese authorities have halted their
participation in the IPC system in response to this report.
Continuing to deny the food insecurity spreading across Sudan
will only exacerbate suffering.
We call on the authorities to fully cooperate with the
humanitarian response.
Second, we reiterate our support for bold international action,
including by the UN, to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
In November, the UK doubled its aid commitment to Sudan and the
region to almost $140m.
We call on the international community to step up support to both
the UN and Sudanese local responders on the front line.
Third, President, we know that these devastating IPC figures are
driven by the ongoing conflict and poor humanitarian access. It
is within the power of the warring parties to prevent a deepening
of this man-made crisis.
We welcome the Sudanese Armed Forces agreement to establish
humanitarian supply hubs and extend permissions for the Adre
crossing, which should be sustained.
But humanitarian access needs to be expanded to all civilians in
need. This includes enabling other access routes, including
through South Sudan and cross-line.
We also encourage the authorising of further humanitarian hubs,
including in areas held by the Rapid Support Forces.
We urge both sides to lift all bureaucratic impediments and to
put in place necessary safety guarantees for aid workers. And we
fully condemn the killing of three WFP staff members in December
and call for a thorough investigation.
President, to conclude, with excess deaths potentially reaching
into the millions, the latest IPC warning should be a rallying
call for action to end this conflict now and to scale up
humanitarian support.
In 2025, this Council and the international community must work
together to bring an end to this dark chapter for Sudan and to
forge a pathway towards lasting peace."
