Khartoum, Sudan – Over 900 days of conflict have brought Sudan to the brink of collapse, pushing millions towards starvation and triggering what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. The scale of the suffering, compounded by widespread human rights violations and the breakdown of essential services, is prompting urgent calls for increased international assistance, though officials warn the response remains inadequate.
As of , more than 30 million people in Sudan require urgent humanitarian aid, according to the UN. This includes 9.6 million who have been displaced from their homes and nearly 15 million children struggling for daily survival. The crisis is disproportionately impacting women and children, who bear the heaviest burden of the ongoing violence and its consequences.
“This is one of the worst protection crises we’ve seen in decades,” said Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). The UNHCR, alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP), has issued a joint call to action, appealing for immediate international attention to address the “immense suffering and growing dangers” confronting the Sudanese population.
The situation is particularly dire for those returning to their homes in areas where fighting has subsided, such as the capital, Khartoum. Nearly 2.6 million people are returning to damaged homes, often lacking access to basic necessities like water, healthcare, and education. “I met people coming back to a city still scarred by conflict, where homes are damaged and basic services are barely functioning,” stated Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations. “Their determination to rebuild is remarkable, but life remains incredibly fragile.”
The spread of diseases – including cholera, dengue, and malaria – coupled with soaring malnutrition rates, is exacerbating the crisis. IOM warns that thousands are at imminent risk of death without immediate assistance. The situation in Zamzam camp in North Darfur is particularly critical, with famine declared there a year ago, , and little improvement since. No aid trucks have reached the region, and food prices are four times higher than in other parts of the country.
UNICEF representative in Sudan, Sheldon Yett, described the situation as a “looming catastrophe,” highlighting the devastating impact on children. Every day the conflict continues in Sudan, innocent lives are lost, communities are torn apart and trauma continues to haunt generations,
said Radhouane Nouicer, the UN’s designated expert on human rights in Sudan.
Approximately 3.2 million children under five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming year. Reports from Jebel Aulia, a locality in Khartoum state at extreme risk of famine, paint a harrowing picture, with children described as skin and bones
by aid workers. Many of these children have been displaced multiple times, and over three-quarters are out of school.
Beyond the immediate physical dangers, the conflict is inflicting deep psychological scars. A recent study published in BMJ Global Health on , highlights the growing mental health crisis among Sudanese citizens, with education and livelihood disruptions contributing to long-term psychological distress. The study underscores the need for increased mental health support alongside humanitarian aid.
The crisis is also marked by serious human rights violations. UN experts have expressed grave concern over reports of indiscriminate killings, mass displacement, sexual violence, enforced disappearances, and obstruction of humanitarian assistance. These violations, they warn, may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, emphasized the profound and lasting impact of the conflict, stating that the Sudanese people face generations of trauma
and they’re crying out for peace
. He also expressed concern that the world isn’t responding with the generosity and solidarity that we need
.
The ongoing conflict and the resulting humanitarian crisis pose a significant threat to regional stability. The displacement of millions of people could strain resources in neighboring countries, and the breakdown of law and order could create a breeding ground for extremist groups. The international community faces a growing challenge in addressing the multifaceted crisis in Sudan and preventing further deterioration of the situation.
