Yvette Cooper has emphasized the global underestimation of the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, where disturbing reports reveal widespread atrocities such as mass killings, starvation, and the use of rape as a tool of warfare.
The Foreign Secretary strongly denounced the appalling events in the Darfur region following the takeover of el-Fasher city by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leaving around 260,000 people, including a significant number of children, stranded in dire conditions resembling famine, isolated from aid, and exposed to lethal violence, according to the Foreign Office.
During a summit in Bahrain, Ms. Cooper, alongside foreign ministers from Germany and Jordan, urged for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing civil conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military since 2023.
In a subsequent interview with the Sunday Mirror, she criticized the lack of international attention on Sudan, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 8 million people facing famine, equivalent to the population of London. She stressed the urgency of the situation and the need for swift action to address the escalating violence and atrocities, particularly focusing on protecting vulnerable civilians, especially women and girls.
Ms. Cooper announced a commitment of £5 million in emergency funding from the UK, with a significant portion allocated to providing food, medical supplies, and support for survivors of sexual violence in Sudan.
Expressing concern over the regression in efforts to protect women in conflict zones since a UN resolution 25 years ago, the Foreign Secretary called for renewed emphasis on combating violence against women and girls in conflicts, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and foreign policy in addressing these critical issues.