The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday, April 26, said the temporary ceasefire in Sudan could save the lives of civilians who have been trapped in their homes with no access to food, clean water, or medical care. “We welcome the reports of a ceasefire and urge the international community to help find a durable political solution to end the bloodshed,” Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, said in a statement. “It’s clear that this ceasefire must be implemented up and down the chain of command and that it must hold for it to give a real respite to civilians suffering from the fighting,” he added. ICRC said the continuous street battles and heavy explosive weapons in Khartoum have forced many civilians to flee or seek shelter. “Khartoum is a densely populated city of millions. When heavy explosive weapons are used, street corners become battlefields, and civilians pay the greatest price,” said Youssef. Hospitals are struggling due to lack of medical staff and supplies, as well as civilian casualties from other parts of the country's violence, it noted. The organization urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to prevent civilian injuries and deaths. “This is not optional. These are legal obligations,” he said. ICRC assured that it is committed to asking for guarantees to move safely for humanitarian purposes, with its top priority being to increase aid to hospitals and ensure access to clean water.