Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in Sudan.
First, the United Kingdom expresses its alarm at the latest IPC report confirming that famine is rapidly spreading in Sudan.
As we've heard, children are acutely malnourished, preventable disease is spreading and basic services collapsing. On current projections, over 630,000 people face famine by May 2025.
Urgent action is needed now or more lives will be lost.
We are concerned that the Sudanese authorities have halted their participation in the IPC system in response to this report. Continuing to deny the food insecurity spreading across Sudan will only exacerbate suffering.
We call on the authorities to fully cooperate with the humanitarian response.
Second, we reiterate our support for bold international action, including by the UN, to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
In November, the UK doubled its aid commitment to Sudan and the region to almost $140m.
We call on the international community to step up support to both the UN and Sudanese local responders on the front line.
Third, President, we know that these devastating IPC figures are driven by the ongoing conflict and poor humanitarian access. It is within the power of the warring parties to prevent a deepening of this man-made crisis.
We welcome the Sudanese Armed Forces agreement to establish humanitarian supply hubs and extend permissions for the Adre crossing, which should be sustained.
But humanitarian access needs to be expanded to all civilians in need. This includes enabling other access routes, including through South Sudan and cross-line.
We also encourage the authorising of further humanitarian hubs, including in areas held by the Rapid Support Forces.
We urge both sides to lift all bureaucratic impediments and to put in place necessary safety guarantees for aid workers. And we fully condemn the killing of three WFP staff members in December and call for a thorough investigation.
President, to conclude, with excess deaths potentially reaching into the millions, the latest IPC warning should be a rallying call for action to end this conflict now and to scale up humanitarian support.
In 2025, this Council and the international community must work together to bring an end to this dark chapter for Sudan and to forge a pathway towards lasting peace.