Red Cross urges parties to protect vital facilities in Sudan

GENEVA

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday said it is alarmed by the recent surge in attacks on critical civilian infrastructure in Sudan, urging parties to protect such vital facilities.

Attacks on power plants, water stations, and dams in Northern State, River Nile, Sennar, White Nile, and Gedaref have caused "extensive damage and endangered technical teams" operating and maintaining these facilities, ICRC said in a statement.

It added that such attacks also "severely" affect the availability of vital services for the civilian population.

"We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of attacks on critical civilian infrastructure so essential for people's survival," said Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, the head of ICRC operations in Sudan. "We urgently call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and their Jeddah commitments and protect these vital facilities."

Parties must take immediate measures to protect critical civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, water, and electricity installations, it underlined, reminding them about their obligation under international humanitarian law and a commitment they made through the Jeddah Declaration of May 2023.

The war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army has continued since April 2023, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.

GENEVA

It added that such attacks also "severely" affect the availability of vital services for the civilian population.

The war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army has continued since April 2023, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.