Sudan’s army and its rival paramilitary say they will extend a humanitarian cease-fire for a further 72 hours. The decision follows international pressure to allow the safe passage of civilians and aid, but the shaky truce has not so far stopped the clashes.
In statements, both sides accused the other of violating the cease fire. The agreement has de-escalated fighting in some areas, but violence continues to push civilians to flee. Aid groups have also struggled to get badly needed supplies into the country.
In a statement, the UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, says the scale and speed of what is unfolding in Sudan is unprecedented.
He adds that water and food are becoming increasingly hard to find in the country’s cities, especially the capital, Khartoum, and that the lack of basic medical care means many could die of preventable causes.
Earlier Sunday, an aircraft carrying eight tons of emergency medical aid landed in Sudan to resupply hospitals devastated by the fighting, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which organised the shipment. The aircraft took off earlier in the day from Jordan and safely landed in the city of Port Sudan.
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