The United Nations expresses its dismay over attacks on volunteers
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Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, expressed her dismay at reports of attacks on volunteers working with civil society organizations in the country, including initiatives known as "Emergency Response Rooms."
In a statement on Sunday, the UN official said, "Whether they are from the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, or community groups, national staff and local volunteers are on the front line in the humanitarian response in Sudan. They must be able to carry out their crucial and life-saving efforts safely."
Salami stated that she is concerned about reports of violent attacks on volunteers working with civil society organizations and emergency response rooms that provide essential services to women, men, and children in hard-to-reach areas, "including soup kitchens and health services for vulnerable communities in Omdurman, Khartoum, and other places in Sudan."
She emphasized that these brave and dedicated volunteers and local responders are often directly affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan but continue to make sacrifices and face personal risks on a daily basis.
"We, the humanitarian community in Sudan, stand by them, applaud their humanity, and their commitment to helping people wherever they are. We reiterate today and every day that civilians and humanitarian workers are not targets," she added.
Media reports mentioned that at least two people were injured early Monday following an armed attack on the headquarters of the prominent religious figure Sheikh Al-Amin in Omdurman. He had dedicated it since the outbreak of the war in April last year to accommodate residents of the old Omdurman neighborhoods, providing them with food and medical treatment. Additionally, the Emergency Room announced last Saturday the killing of a medical worker, her mother, and the father of a female doctor among 11 killed and wounded following the fall of artillery shells in the South Belt area, south of Khartoum.
