Avril Benoît: Is ignoring humanitarian law the new norm?
Apr 18, 2024
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Avril Benoît, U.S. executive director for Doctors Without Borders, discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, highlighting the challenges faced by aid groups amidst a brutal civil war. The podcast explores the obstacles of upholding international humanitarian law, the struggles of reporting in conflict zones, and the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and strategic engagement to address the escalating crisis.
Sudan's dire humanitarian crisis highlights the fragile state of international humanitarian law in crisis zones today.
Limited access to supplies, bureaucratic barriers, and disregard for international humanitarian law hinder aid efforts in Sudan.
Deep dives
Crisis in Sudan: Humanitarian Disaster and Challenges
Sudan is facing one of its worst humanitarian disasters, as highlighted by Avril Benoit of Doctors Without Borders. With a brutal civil war resulting in over 14,000 deaths and 8 million displaced people, Sudan's medical system is shattered. Hospitals are looted, affecting crucial medical services. International aid for Sudan is scarce, and access to areas in need is blocked by warring parties, hindering humanitarian efforts.
Critical Humanitarian Needs in Sudan
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is dire, with an estimated 25 million people requiring aid. Displaced individuals, especially from Darfur, face severe challenges including violence, looting, burning, and restricted movement. Malnutrition is rampant, with high mortality rates in camps like Zam Zam. Limited access to supplies and bureaucratic barriers further hinder aid efforts.
Challenges of Aid Access and International Response
Ensuring humanitarian access in Sudan faces numerous obstacles including bureaucratic processes, visas, and security concerns. International awareness and media coverage of Sudan's crisis are limited, impacting aid efforts. The Geneva Conventions' principles protecting hospitals are violated, showcasing a concerning disregard for international humanitarian law. Urgent action is needed to remove barriers, increase aid, and prioritize Sudan's humanitarian needs.
Hospitals are supposed to be safe havens in a war. But Avril Benoît, the U.S. executive director for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says that's not the case in places including Sudan, where this week marks a year since the start of a brutal civil war. More than 14,000 people there have been killed, 8 million have been displaced, and some 25 million are in dire need of humanitarian aid as the health system crumbles. But the world's eyes--and dollars--are elsewhere, leaving groups like MSF begging for international help. Benoît tells Niala how Sudan shows us the fragile state of humanitarian law in crisis zones today.
Guests: Avril Benoît, executive director for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières in the United States
Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Jay Cowit. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura and Jay Cowit. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893.