Vital supplies dwindle, health care system threatened in Sudan: UN

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's population is running out of food, fuel and other vital supplies, and the health care system is in danger of collapse, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

"We desperately need a humanitarian pause so that wounded and sick civilians can reach hospitals," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "People in the capital Khartoum have been unable to safely leave their homes to buy food and other essentials for days now."

OCHA reported on a severely hampered relief-response system and called for a halt to attacks against aid workers and looting of humanitarian facilities. It said that humanitarian actors must be able to carry out their work safely, and aid agencies must be able to move staff and replenish critical supplies safely.

"We are worried that Sudan's health care system could completely collapse," the UN humanitarians said. "Hospitals need additional staff, supplies, and blood."

The World Health Organization listed 16 hospitals across Sudan forced to shut down due to attacks. Nine of them are in the capital of Khartoum, and a further 16 hospitals, including in Darfur states, could close soon due to staff fatigue and lack of supplies.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out on Saturday, forcing civilians to seek shelter from the hostilities. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured.

"We condemn all attacks on health personnel, facilities and ambulances -- which are putting more lives at risk," said OCHA. "They are flagrant violations of international law, and they must stop now."