Sudan: UN aid operation continues amid dire humanitarian conditions.

Ten days of fighting between rival military forces have had a devastating impact on the country's population. The UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) warned that people are lacking food, water, medicines and fuel, power is limited, and the prices of essential items as well as transport have skyrocketed.

OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke told reporters in Geneva that the people of Sudan, already 'deeply affected' by humanitarian needs, are now 'staring into the abyss'. He underscored that humanitarian operations were also impacted, and that there were more reports of looting of humanitarian supplies and warehouses.

Aid delivery 'whenever and wherever feasible'

Following a temporary relocation of hundreds of UN staff members and their families from the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Monday, a UN leadership team will remain in Sudan to oversee humanitarian operations going forward. Mr. Laerke said a humanitarian hub is being established in the Red Sea coastal city of Port Sudan.

'We and our partners continue to deliver whenever and wherever feasible', insisted Mr. Laerke, before emphasizing the 'heroic' efforts of the Sudanese people themselves. He said that civil society networks are responding to the most urgent needs in their communities, 'including mobilizing medical assistance, distributing food and water, and assisting civilians'.

Before the fighting erupted, some 15.8 million people - about a third of the Sudanese population - were already in need of aid.

Rising death and injury toll

According to figures from the Sudanese Health Ministry quoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday, 459 people had been killed in the fighting and over 4,000 injured as of 24 April.

WHO noted that the actual figures 'are likely to be higher' as at least a quarter of all health facilities in Khartoum, where most of the fighting is taking place, are not functional.

Attacks on healthcare

The UN's health agency has verified 14 attacks on health since the violence began, with 8 deaths and 2 injuries. WHO said that the attacks 'must stop' as they bar people in need from accessing essential health services.

WHO also flagged rising health concerns due to ongoing outbreaks of dengue and malaria, as well as a looming cholera alert amid damage to water infrastructure.

'As the needs are increasing, violence has made the delivery of aid near impossible', WHO said. The agency stressed that it has stocks of essential medicines, blood bags, and supplies for...