Statement by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. at the Permanent Mission, on behalf of the Informal Co-focal Points on Conflict and Hunger, at the UNSC briefing on the POC in Armed Conflict: IPC Famine Review Committee report on The Sudan

Mr. President,

I deliver this statement on behalf of the informal co-focal points on conflict and hunger to the Security Council, Slovenia and my country, Guyana.

We thank OCHA Director of Operations and Advocacy, Edem Wosornu and FAO Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol, for their briefings.

Mr. President,

Guyana and Slovenia are gravely concerned about the Famine Review Committee’s most recent confirmation of famine in five areas in Sudan for the period October to November 2024 and its projection of famine conditions in an additional five areas by May 2025.

We are disheartened that following the confirmation of famine in the Zamzam IDP camp just six months ago and warnings that IPC Phase 5 conditions could spread to the Abu Shouk and Al Salam IDP camps, the Committee has returned to confirm that all three IDP camps in El Fasher, as well as in the Western Nuba Mountains (West and South Kordofan State), are displaying credible evidence of famine among its population.

Mr. President,

The protection crisis in Sudan is unprecedented. Sudan has long been labelled the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million people, a quarter of its population displaced, since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. As the conflict rages on, rapidly approaching a second year of carnage and destruction, it is the civilians who are most affected.

The Sudanese people are plagued by constant shelling, aerial bombardment and airstrikes in densely populated areas, sexual violence and the destruction of essential infrastructure with consequent obliteration of critical services. Displacement of farming communities and indiscriminate attacks on agricultural production sites have turned a once thriving country - the bread basket of the region, into the world’s largest hunger crisis, with over half of the nation’s population in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. Among them are 16 million children, whose future and well-being are now gravely imperiled.

This war must end. More must be done to protect civilians and civilian objects, especially those indispensable for their survival. More must be done to stop the carnage and to stave off hunger. In this regard, we underscore four points:

One. The need for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians.

Two. The need to protect the humanitarian space in the country and ensure rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to enable lifesaving interventions.

Three. The need for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and abide by Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 2417 (2018), 2573 (2021), 2730 (2024) and 2736 (2024) and;

Four. The need to scale up international support for both humanitarian assistance and mediation efforts.

Mr. President, allow me to conclude by reaffirming Slovenia and Guyana’s commitment to lasting peace in Sudan, one where the Sudanese people can realise their full democratic aspirations and rebuild Sudan.

I thank you.