Yvette Cooper expressed concern over the lack of global awareness regarding the urgent humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where reports indicate widespread atrocities such as mass killings, starvation, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.
The Foreign Secretary strongly condemned the disturbing events unfolding in the Darfur region following the takeover of el-Fasher city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). An estimated 260,000 individuals, including many children, are currently trapped in dire famine-like conditions, isolated from aid and exposed to life-threatening violence.
During a summit in Bahrain, Ms. Cooper, alongside foreign ministers from Germany and Jordan, called for an immediate ceasefire in the longstanding civil conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military since 2023.
In a statement to the Sunday Mirror, Cooper emphasized the need for world leaders to prioritize ending the conflict in Sudan, stressing that the humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 8 million people, equivalent to London’s population, demands urgent attention. She highlighted the ongoing atrocities, including executions at a maternity hospital and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly affecting women and girls.
Ms. Cooper announced a £5 million UK funding commitment for emergency aid, with a significant portion allocated to providing assistance to survivors of sexual violence. She also underscored the concerning regression in protecting women during conflicts since the passage of a UN resolution 25 years ago, advocating for renewed efforts to address violence against women and girls as a central aspect of foreign policy and international cooperation.