UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan during a press briefing on May 8, 2025. The recent surge in drone attacks in Port Sudan, a critical hub for humanitarian aid, has exacerbated the crisis, making it increasingly challenging to deliver necessary assistance to the affected population.
According to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, Guterres warned that the escalation of violence could lead to significant civilian casualties and further damage to essential infrastructure. "This major escalation of violence may lead to widespread loss of civilian life and additional damage to vital infrastructure," Haq stated. The Secretary-General's concerns intensified as the conflict spreads to areas that previously housed many displaced individuals fleeing from Khartoum, Sudan's capital.
Since January, targeted attacks on power stations and other critical infrastructure across Sudan have severely impacted access to electricity, healthcare services, clean water, and food. Haq emphasized the necessity for all parties involved in the conflict to adhere strictly to humanitarian principles, including refraining from targeting civilians and civilian property. He urged the need for all parties to take all possible precautions to avoid or at least mitigate unintended impacts on civilians.
Moreover, Guterres called for a collaborative effort among all stakeholders to facilitate humanitarian operations in Sudan. He reinforced that humanitarian efforts should not be politicized, ensuring that the Sudanese people can access the assistance they urgently need while respecting humanity's principles and impartiality. "The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that negotiations are the only path to peace that the people of Sudan desire," Haq added.
In light of the recent drone attacks on May 6, which targeted strategic locations in Port Sudan, including the international airport, hotels near the temporary presidential residence, and oil transport terminals, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels. The ongoing violence has left approximately 6.3 million people, including nearly 2 million children, in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
In a related humanitarian effort, the Thai government announced on May 9, 2025, its decision to donate 3 million baht to UNICEF to support humanitarian missions for children and families impacted by a devastating earthquake in Myanmar on March 28, 2025. The donation, made during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will fund water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects in the hardest-hit areas.
UNICEF Thailand's communications officer, Nang Saw Phinthusuda Chaiyanam, expressed gratitude for the timely support from the Thai government. "The concern from the Thai government during this difficult time reflects the compassion extended to children and families in Myanmar," she remarked. Chaiyanam emphasized that this financial assistance would enable UNICEF to deliver urgently needed aid to children facing immense hardships and high risks of disease and displacement.
Five weeks after the earthquake, approximately 6.3 million people, including nearly 2 million children, still require urgent humanitarian assistance. Many families are living in overcrowded temporary shelters, lacking access to clean water and sanitation. Access to healthcare, education, and psychosocial support remains limited in the severely affected areas, where water systems have been damaged, wells are contaminated, and communities are deprived of clean water.
Furthermore, the early onset of the rainy season poses additional risks, potentially worsening the situation and increasing the likelihood of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, malaria, measles, and skin diseases. UNICEF and its partners have been working diligently to expand humanitarian assistance, providing clean water to more than 565,000 people through the distribution of water purification kits and hygiene kits to over 300,000 individuals.
The donation from Thailand will support UNICEF's ongoing efforts, including repairing water systems and installing toilets and handwashing stations in the most affected communities. Reports indicate that over 64,000 toilets have been destroyed, and there is a growing number of cases of acute diarrhea, necessitating urgent measures to prevent outbreaks.
UNICEF continues to prioritize WASH operations while promoting hygiene practices to protect the health and well-being of children living in overcrowded conditions, as the public health system remains under significant strain. Before the earthquake, nearly 20 million people in Myanmar, including 6.4 million children, already required humanitarian assistance due to conflict, climate disasters, displacement, and poverty. This crisis has only exacerbated an already dire situation.
In addition to WASH initiatives, UNICEF is advancing support in other critical areas, such as child protection, education, nutrition, and mental health care, to help communities recover sustainably and build resilience in the long term. The project aims to assist around 20 million people, including 6.4 million children, with humanitarian aid while addressing concerns about inequality and discrimination.
This coordinated response will enhance living standards and reduce the vulnerability of the population, particularly in health sectors, ensuring a significant improvement in the situation for those affected by the earthquake and ongoing conflicts.
