The United States and other key players including the United Arab Emirates jointly called Wednesday for Sudan's warring sides to agree to pauses in fighting to allow in aid, voicing alarm at worsening hunger.

The group in a statement said it was "appalled by the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Sudan, including the growing number of people in situations of severe malnutrition and famine, and by the wide range of access impediments that are delaying or blocking the response in key areas."

The group said that the situation was especially urgent in the North Darfur and Kordofan regions.

The countries called for the two sides to "allow for humanitarian pauses to enable the movement of life-saving supplies into such areas, and ease barriers to civilian movement out of danger."

The group "urgently reiterates that international humanitarian law must be fully respected."

Sudan has been ravaged by violence and hunger since the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces went to war in April 2023.

Nearly 25 million people in Sudan face dire hunger, with millions cut off from life-saving aid, according to the United Nations.

The United Arab Emirates has been accused of championing the Rapid Support Forces including by funneling in arms.

Sudan recently accused the UAE of hiring Colombian mercenaries to fight against the army on behalf of the RSF.

The statement was also signed by other players that have been key in diplomacy on the Sudan crisis - Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the African Union and the United Nations.

The plea on Sudan comes as the United States faces wide criticism for its support of Israel in the offensive in Gaza, which is also facing a humanitarian catastrophe.

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