Ethiopia has housed nearly 300,000 Sudanese refugees who fled the breakout of a five-month-long widespread conflict. The hospitality was commended by the United Nations' designated expert on Human Rights in Sudan, Radhouane Nouice as he briefed the devastating conditions in the embattled country at the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) headquarters last week. With 20 million in need of assistance, 4.5 million displaced from their homes and the destruction of the health infrastructure in the country, Radhoune indicated efforts for humanitarian assistance are hampered by a shortage of funding, inability to obtain visas and blockage of access. Radhoune called for the cessation of "the senseless conflict" as he outlined the horrendous living conditions where summary executions, widespread assault and violence were cited as tragic developments. "There are no winners, with only the people losing," he said.