The ongoing conflict in Sudan has devastated civilians, leading to tens of thousands of deaths and serious humanitarian crises. With over 10.5 million internally displaced and four million fleeing to neighbouring countries, Sudan faces the world’s worst displacement crisis. Over 30 million people require humanitarian assistance, with acute hunger affecting regions like Darfur and Kordofan.

Governments must be held accountable for the deaths of health and essential workers who they have failed to protect from COVID-19, Amnesty International said today, as it released a new report documenting the experiences of health workers around the world.

Health and essential workers have played an extraordinary role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across countries, they have put their health and wellbeing at risk, often in very difficult circumstances and with very little support, to ensure that people are able to access the essential services they need. They have faced reprisals from the authorities and their employers for raising safety concerns, and in some cases have been subject to violence and stigma from members of the public. This report makes concrete recommendations for what governments across the world need to do to comply with their human rights obligations and adequately protect the rights of health and essential workers.