The governments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, as well as the African Union and United Nations, have issued a joint statement expressing concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The coalition, known as ALPS, highlighted the increasing number of people facing severe malnutrition and famine and pointed to various obstacles that are delaying or blocking humanitarian aid in critical areas.
According to the statement: "The ALPS coalition is appalled by the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan, including the growing number of people in situations of severe malnutrition and famine, and by the wide range of access impediments that are delaying or blocking the response in key areas."
The group noted that civilians are suffering most from ongoing conflict. They called for urgent action from all parties involved to protect civilians and ensure aid can reach those who need it. The coalition referenced obligations under international humanitarian law and commitments made under the Jeddah Declaration signed in May 2023.
"Civilians continue to pay the highest price for this war. With the situation in Sudan worsening and humanitarian needs reaching critical levels, urgent action is needed by the conflict parties to protect civilians and allow and facilitate humanitarian access to those in need, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed in May 2023," according to their statement.
The ALPS group urged all warring parties to remove bureaucratic barriers hindering relief work; keep supply routes open for aid convoys; guarantee safety for aid workers; ensure safe passage for civilians seeking assistance; permit a sustained UN presence especially where needs are acute; restore telecommunications across Sudan; and protect vital infrastructure such as energy, water, and health services.
"In some areas – particularly North Darfur and the Kordofan region – de-escalation measures are urgently needed for humanitarian actors to be able to bring aid. The ALPS group therefore calls on the conflict parties to adhere to their Jeddah Commitments, and to allow for humanitarian pauses to enable the movement of life-saving supplies into such areas, and ease barriers to civilian movement out of danger," said representatives from ALPS.
They also reiterated: "The ALPS group urgently reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully respected. This includes the obligations to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, their premises and assets, as well as to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need."