Sunday, December 22, 2024

Just 10 miles from a war zone, the Duchess of Edinburgh finds a ‘complete atrocity’

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International observers are concerned that the conflict is becoming a proxy war for Middle East powers such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE to bolster their status in the region, lessening the chances of a foreseeable resolution.

The UAE has been widely accused of providing significant funding to the RSF forces, and a UN report in January found the accusations of providing military support to the group credible.

Sudan is seen as key to the Gulf state’s strategy of deepening its political and economic strength in Africa.

The Kingdom is the primary importer of Sudanese gold.

The Duchess said: “The numbers are enormous and there is no end to what is going on that we can see, and so the situation is only going to get worse.”

Wearing a blue skirt, a flower-patterned blouse and espadrille shoes, the Duchess met representatives from Plan International, a charity that is trying to provide psycho-social support to children and adolescent victims of the war.

Paulien Eboo, one of its leaders, said mobile protection units had been set up to try to identify refugees suffering from trauma.

The charity provides playtime for the younger victims, whereas the older ones are given support to help them rediscover the ability to form friendships and develop social networks.

Fatima Abaulgasim, 15, and Mayada Abdoulgadir Oumar, 13, were among the children taking part in a session witnessed by the Duchess.

“We are here but our situation is awful,” said Fatima. “We need support for education and support for healthcare.”

Mayada said: “Education here is zero. We need education.”

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