Yvette Cooper has emphasized the lack of global recognition of the pressing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, characterized by reports of widespread killings, starvation, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.
The Foreign Secretary strongly denounced the disturbing events in the Darfur region following the takeover of el-Fasher city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to the Foreign Office, approximately 260,000 individuals, including a significant number of children, are currently trapped in dire famine-like conditions, isolated from essential aid, and exposed to severe violence.
During a summit in Bahrain, Ms. Cooper, alongside foreign ministers from Germany and Jordan, urged for an immediate ceasefire in the long-standing civil conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military that has persisted since 2023.
In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Cooper stressed the need for world leaders to prioritize ending the conflict in Sudan with the same vigor as seen in other crisis zones like Gaza. She highlighted the alarming situation in Sudan where an estimated 8 million people are on the brink of famine, equivalent to the population of London, yet there remains a lack of urgency in addressing the crisis.
Cooper drew attention to the heinous acts resulting from the RSF’s offensive in el-Fasher, with around 130,000 children currently trapped in the city amid reports of executions and the abhorrent use of sexual violence as a tool of warfare.
To address the escalating crisis, Ms. Cooper announced a £5 million commitment in emergency aid from the UK, focusing on providing food and medical supplies, with a specific allocation of £2 million to support survivors of sexual violence.
Expressing concern over the regression in efforts to protect women in conflict situations since the passage of a UN resolution 25 years ago, Cooper emphasized the importance of renewed efforts to combat violence against women and girls, both in conflict zones and in international cooperation and foreign policy.