ICRC calls for immediate humanitarian intervention in Sudan amidst violent fights

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is calling for immediate humanitarian access as fighting continues to rage in Sudan and has resulted in at least 270 deaths so far.

In a statement released on Wednesday, ICRC said hospitals in Sudan's capital Khartoum are running dangerously low on medical supplies, and medical facilities are running without electricity and clean water due to a damaged water and energy infrastructure.

Parts of Darfur have also seen a breakdown in law and order in recent days. An ICRC office in Nyala has been looted with one vehicle taken, ICRC said.

Patrick Youssef, Africa regional director for the ICRC, said: "It is highly distressing hearing reports of civilian casualties and bodies left lying in the streets of Khartoum. They need to be collected and treated with dignity. We are calling for unimpeded humanitarian access immediately."

"Our urgent priority is to get medical assistance to hospitals and try to make repairs to their water and power lines so they can treat the wounded. But without the necessary security guarantees required to move around safely, we are still unable to deliver aid and to fully assess the humanitarian needs."

The latest spike in violence comes on top of years of fighting, instability and economic turmoil that has left millions of Sudanese unable to meet their basic needs, and this week's violence will undoubtedly make what was already a complex humanitarian emergency much worse, said Youssef.

Osama Abubakr Osman, communication and dissemination director of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, said the ongoing conflict may cause Sudan's health system to collapse, resulting in catastrophic consequences.