Today's top news: Sudan, Ukraine

WFP started providing emergency food packages in Port Sudan to about 4,000 people who have fled fighting in Khartoum. 29 May 2023. WFP/ Mohamed Elamin

Sudan

The humanitarian community continues to rush life-saving supplies to destinations around the country, despite the ongoing fighting. Since 24 May, at least 129 trucks have completed deliveries to various locations inside Sudan.

On Wednesday this week, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) flew in more than 19 tons of vaccines for some 370,000 children. UNICEF is working with the Federal Ministry of Health, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to maintain vaccination services in Sudan.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sent roughly 170 tons of health supplies into Sudan by air, land and sea.

But access challenges and ongoing fighting are hampering deliveries.

Since the conflict erupted in Sudan, WHO has verified 46 attacks on health care. Sixteen of these have taken place since the signing of the Jeddah declaration three weeks ago. This is completely unacceptable.

And the UN Population Fund warns that fuel shortages and electricity cuts have forced many hospitals in Sudan to suspend emergency obstetric and neonatal care services. UNFPA is supporting some of the few functioning hospitals in Khartoum state – but says power outages and the lack of fuel are threatening the operation of those hospitals.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has procured half a million litres of fuel in Port Sudan – and is looking to obtain additional quantities of fuel and food.

This week, WFP has been offloading some 33,000 tons of food aid in Port Sudan – enough to feed about 1 million people for three months.

Ukraine

Our humanitarian colleagues on the ground warn about the situation in the front-line Kupiansk community in Kharkiv region, where intensive fighting continues to uproot thousands of civilians.

Constant bombardment has destroyed people’s homes and other civilian infrastructures. People’s livelihoods are also impacted because of mines and explosive ordnance preventing agricultural activities in an area heavily dependent on crop production.

We and our humanitarian partners have sustained regular assistance to 23,000 people through three convoys this year to the community of Kupiansk and surrounding settlements.

Demining activities and repair of damaged houses are urgently required now, but also before the start of the winter.