Over the last 48 hours, much of the world has been focused on the crisis that was generated in the Middle East.

As concerning as those developments are, other dramatic life-and-death emergencies are being pushed into the shadows.

The world is forgetting about the people of Sudan.

Today marks a heartbreaking milestone — one year since the start of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.

This is more than a conflict between two warring parties.

It is a war being waged on the Sudanese people.

It is a war on the many thousands of civilians who have been killed, and tens of thousands maimed for life.

It is a war on the 18 million people facing acute hunger, and the communities now staring down the terrifying threat of famine in the months ahead.

It is a war on villages, homes, hospitals, schools and vital systems that have been reduced to rubble in conflict hotspots.

And it is a war on human rights and international humanitarian law.

Indiscriminate attacks that are killing, injuring and terrorizing civilians could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Aid convoys have been targeted. Humanitarian personnel and warehouses have been attacked.

Women and girls are subject to rampant sexual violence.

Meanwhile, the impact of the conflict is spilling across borders.

Over 8 million people have fled their homes in search of safety — 1.8 million to neighbouring countries.

One year on – some 25 million people — half of Sudan’s population – need lifesaving assistance.

The latest reports of escalating hostilities in El Fasher – the capital of North Darfur -- are a fresh cause for deep alarm.

Over the weekend, RSF-affiliated militias attacked and burnt villages west of the city – leading to widespread new displacement and fears of a takeover of El Fasher’s [only water source nearby.]

Fighting continued today on the outskirts of El Fasher.

Counter attacks have led to more deaths and injuries.

Let me be clear: Any attack on El Fasher would be devastating for civilians and could lead to full-blown intercommunal conflict across Darfur.

It would also upend aid operations in an area already on the brink of famine, since El Fasher has always been a critical UN humanitarian hub.

All parties must facilitate the safe, rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian personnel and supplies through all available routes into El Fasher.

This includes the timely approval of convoys and avoiding any measures that could delay or otherwise obstruct humanitarian movements.

We must do all we can to ensure maximum humanitarian assistance in Darfur and elsewhere.

Today, the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbors was hosted by the governments of France, Germany and the European Union.

The Sudanese people desperately need the support and generosity of the global community to help them through this nightmare.

The $2.7 billion Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan was only 6 per cent funded before the conference.

And the $1.4 billion Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Sudan Crisis - only 7 per cent.

At the same time, as reflected in their commitments made in Jeddah, all parties must ensure full humanitarian access – across borders and battle lines – so vital aid can get to where it’s needed most.

They must heed the UN Security Council’s call to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and to protect civilians.

But the Sudanese people need more than humanitarian support.

They need an end to the bloodshed.

They need peace.

The only path out of this horror is a political solution.

At this critical moment, in addition to global support for aid, we need a concerted global push for a ceasefire in Sudan followed by a comprehensive peace process.

My Personal Envoy, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, is working tirelessly with scaled-up mediation efforts.

This includes meeting with the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, as well as leaders across the Horn of Africa and the Gulf Region.

And it includes efforts with the African Union; IGAD -- the Intergovernmental Authority on Development; the League of Arab States and key member states.

Coordinated international efforts will be essential to amplify joint action.

This push for peace also means continuing our work on Sudan’s democratic transition – by supporting and empowering civilians — including women’s rights groups, young people and others.

This must be an inclusive process that reflects all voices.

The future of Sudan requires the contributions, participation and vision of all Sudanese.

I will not relent in my calls for all parties to silence the guns, and meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful and secure future.

Thank you.

ENDS

IRAN-ISRAEL 
The Secretary-General spoke at the Sunday emergency session of the Security Council, and he warned that the Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate and to show maximum restraint, he said. 
He told the Security Council that he had strongly condemned the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday evening. He called for an immediate cessation of these hostilities. 
The Secretary-General reminded all Member States that the Charter of the United Nations prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations. 
Furthermore, the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law, as he stated when condemning the 1 April attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. 
 
LEBANON 
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports that after relative calm over the Eid period, exchanges of fire across the Blue Line resumed through the weekend into Monday 15 April.  
Noting also the Iranian attack on Israel on 13 April, UNIFIL adapted increased security levels as a precautionary measure. Regional developments have the potential to inflame an already volatile situation along the Blue Line. UNIFIL reiterates the call for all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any action that could lead to further escalation. UNIFIL peacekeepers remain on the ground and the Mission is working at all levels to de-escalate tensions. 
 
YEMEN 
This morning, Special Envoy Hans Grundberg briefed Security Council members on the situation in Yemen. He said that in his recent visits to Washington, Riyadh, Muscat, and Moscow he underlined the need for de-escalation in the Red Sea and to remain focused on the long-term objectives for Yemen: namely an intra-Yemeni political process that results in a sustainable and just peace, addresses human suffering and allows for reconstruction and economic prosperity. He also said he was pleased to hear that, across the board, his interlocutors continue to remain united in their support for these objectives.  
For her part, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at OCHA, Edem Wosornu, told the Council members that food and nutrition security is expected to worsen further as the lean season begins in the coming weeks, but the UN’s efforts to address the situation continue apace. She also urged Council members to do what they can to provide urgently needed funding to the aid programme in Yemen. 
 
HAITI  
The Secretary-General welcomed the publication on 12 April of the decree formally establishing the Transitional Presidential Council and urged all Haitian stakeholders to continue making progress in putting in place transitional governance arrangements, including the timely appointment of an interim Prime Minister and government, and the nomination of the members of the Provisional Electoral Council.  
The Secretary-General takes note of the functions of the Transitional Presidential Council, including working with all members of the international community to accelerate the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission authorized by Security Council Resolution 2699 (2023). He reiterates his call on all Member States to contribute to the MSS. 
For its part, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that aid organizations in Haiti continue to provide life-saving assistance to people affected by the ongoing violence in the capital Port-au-Prince. 
On 12 April, the World Food Programme – through logistics partners and the UN Humanitarian Response Depot – facilitated the transport of 15 metric tons of medical supplies from the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization from Panama to Cap-Haitien, in northern Haiti. The flight was chartered by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, with more air transports planned in the coming days. 
 
SUDAN 
The Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, warned that after one year of conflict in Sudan, the world has a very narrow window to act to end the avalanche of suffering engulfing the country.  
Speaking in Paris today to the High-level Pledging Event for Sudan and its Neighbours, Ms. Msuya said the recent escalation in El Fasher raises the spectre of even great danger to civilians in Darfur.  
Across the country, almost half the population – some 25 million people – needs urgent assistance. Ms. Msuya said supporting them will require improved humanitarian access in Sudan, as well as scaled-up resources. She told donors attending the conference in Paris that all pledges will help maintain and expand humanitarian operations inside Sudan and throughout the region. 
 
SUDAN/GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE 
UN Women says that Sudan’s current conflict is having a devastating impact on the people of Sudan, particularly women and girls. More than 6.7 million people are at risk of gender-based violence, and reports of intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and trafficking in persons are widespread and increasing. 
Women and girls, often the first responders in crises, are not only victims of this violence but also pivotal to the survival and resilience of their communities. UN Women salutes the courage and bravery of Sudanese women and women’s rights organizations, who continue to advocate for peace and a return to democratic governance at different forums. Their participation in peace processes and humanitarian responses is not just beneficial but necessary for creating lasting peace and security. 
 
DEBT SUSTAINABILITY 
This afternoon, the Secretary-General will address the General Assembly debate on debt sustainability and socio-economic equality for all. He will emphasize that for developing countries, a world of debt means a world of pain as they are struggling to climb the development ladder with one hand tied behind their backs. 
He will reiterate his call to reform the global financial architecture and specifically, its approach to debt. The Secretary-General will also stress that we need to find new ways for countries to borrow boldly and sustainably in times of need. 
 
SENIOR PERSONNEL APPOINTMENT  
I would like to write into the record that on Friday, 12 April, the Secretary-General announced the appointment of Muhannad Hadi of Jordan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator in the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).  Mr. Hadi will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator.  He succeeds James McGoldrick of Ireland, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service.  
Having served since 2020 as the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Mr. Hadi brings more than 30 years of extensive international experience in humanitarian affairs and development work.   
Prior to this, Mr. Hadi served as World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe (2015-2020). 
 
STAKEOUT TOMORROW 
Tomorrow, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, will speak to reporters at the Security Council stakeout immediately after the end of consultations on Libya.