ICRC: Attacks on critical civilian infrastructure surge amid escalating fighting
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said it is “deeply alarmed by the recent surge in attacks on critical civilian infrastructure in Sudan”.
The charity organization made the statement three days after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked a public hospital in Fashir, Darfur region, killing at least 72 civilians mostly patients, including three children, and putting out of service the emergency unit.
The attack also followed series of attacks on water and electricity supply and distribution units in several towns in central, north and eastern Sudan.
These attacks come at the background of concerted and coordinated counterattacks by the Sudanese armed forces which has been able to recover at least three major towns in central Sudan, and driving the RSF westwards while losing many of their strongholds in Khartoum state which hosts the national capital Khartoum.
The ICRC lamented attacks on power plants, water stations, and dams in Northern State, River Nile, Sinnar, White Nile, and Gadarif as having caused extensive damage and endangered technical teams operating and maintaining these facilities.
It added that the attacks also severely affected the availability of vital services for the civilian population. "We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of attacks on critical civilian infrastructure so essential for people's survival," the statement quoted Dorsa Nazemi-Salman, the head of ICRC operations in Sudan, as saying on Tuesday.
"We urgently call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and their Jeddah commitments and protect these vital facilities."
The statement added that attacks on critical civilian infrastructure had severely disrupted access to clean water and electricity for millions of Sudanese. Disruption of essential services has a ripple effect on critical healthcare, as electricity and water supply are vital for the proper functioning of hospitals.
Lack of access to clean water also undermines public health, significantly heightening the risk of cholera outbreaks and other health crises.
The ICRC urged parties to the conflict to take immediate measures to protect critical civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, water, and electricity installations. It is their obligation under international humanitarian law and a commitment they made through the Jeddah Declaration of May 2023.
Unless such measures are taken swiftly, civilians severely affected by the conflict risk losing access to essential services.
It warned that under international humanitarian law, essential infrastructure, such as a power plant or water facility, is a civilian object and must be protected from direct attacks and the effects of hostilities.
“Parties to the conflict must do everything feasible to avoid damaging or putting essential infrastructure at risk during hostilities,” it underlined.
The statement said the ICRC remained committed to supporting the people of Sudan during this critical time. Since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, the ICRC, and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society have been working to provide assistance and protection to millions of vulnerable people across Sudan.
-0-PANA MO/RA28Jan2025
