In a grim assessment, the outgoing UN aid chief has raised alarm over the dire situations in Sudan and Gaza, urging the international community to take urgent action. Martin Griffiths, the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, highlighted the looming threat of famine on an unprecedented scale in Sudan, with 750,000 people facing immediate jeopardy, and the catastrophic conditions facing 495,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Griffiths emphasized that while the media and diplomatic efforts have focused on Gaza, the unfolding tragedy in Sudan has largely gone unnoticed and without diplomatic progress. In Sudan, 755,262 individuals are expected to face catastrophic conditions, while an additional 8.5 million Sudanese are in a state of emergency due to high levels of malnutrition and disease.

"These are staggering numbers. It's beyond imagination," stated Griffiths as he compared the situation in Sudan to the historic famine in Ethiopia between 1983 and 1985, which claimed the lives of one million people. He warned that if there is no change in access for humanitarian aid and international support, the outcome in Sudan could be even worse.

Despite the severity of the crisis, Sudan has received little international attention. Griffiths attributed this to restricted access for journalists, making it challenging to raise awareness about the situation. The 2024 Sudan humanitarian needs and response plan, launched last year, requested $2.7 billion to address the crisis, but funding remains less than 17% of the required amount.

In Sudan, the two rival generals leading the civil war, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, have obstructed mediation efforts and hindered the delivery of food and aid. The situation is particularly alarming in the Darfur region, where the Sudanese armed forces are preventing aid from crossing the Adré crossing from Chad.

Griffiths outlined diplomatic efforts to resolve the blockage while underlining the urgency to avoid worst-case scenarios. The limited opening of crossings in Gaza earlier this year provided some relief, with the number of Palestinians facing catastrophic famine halving since March. However, recent events, including an Israeli offensive, have exacerbated the spread of violence and insecurity, hindering the distribution of food and aid.

Griffiths called upon Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfill its obligations under international law and ensure the security of humanitarian deliveries. He emphasized the need for a deconfliction center to coordinate aid efforts and prevent bombings of aid convoys, a promise yet to be fulfilled by the Israeli government.

The challenges in Gaza extend beyond coordinating aid movements. Griffiths stressed the importance of engaging with the region's influential clans and understanding community dynamics to improve internal security.

With the humanitarian crises in both Sudan and Gaza escalating, urgent action is required to avert mass hunger, disease, and loss of life. The international community faces a critical test of its commitment to humanitarian relief as millions of lives hang in the balance.