Sudan’s internal conflict, which erupted in April 2023 from a bitter rivalry between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces, has evolved into a sweeping national disaster. What began as a confrontation over authority quickly engulfed Khartoum and spread to multiple regions, dismantling public services and destabilizing civilian life.
More than 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes, creating one of the largest displacement crises globally. Families have scattered across provinces and borders, often without access to shelter, healthcare, or stable income. Infectious diseases are spreading in overcrowded camps and damaged urban centers, compounding the hardship.
Advocacy groups continue to press combatants to suspend hostilities, arguing that without an immediate cessation of violence, the humanitarian toll will escalate further.
Hunger Reaches Catastrophic Levels
According to assessments from the World Food Programme, upwards of 20 million people are experiencing extreme food shortages. In several districts, including El-Fasher and parts of South Kordofan such as Kadugli, famine conditions have already emerged.
Senior officials from the agency have appealed for urgent diplomatic engagement to secure at minimum a temporary humanitarian halt in the fighting. They stress that uninterrupted access is essential to move supplies into besieged areas and prevent additional loss of life.
Although relief teams are managing to deliver assistance to millions each month, the magnitude of deprivation far exceeds available resources.
Funding Declines Amid Surging Needs
The crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of tightening global aid budgets. Humanitarian organizations warn that contributions are not keeping pace with the rapidly expanding needs on the ground. Reduced funding threatens food distributions, medical support, and protection services at a moment when demand is accelerating.
At the same time, insecurity poses severe risks to aid personnel attempting to operate in contested zones. The convergence of violence, mass displacement, economic breakdown, and limited financial backing has created a volatile environment where millions remain trapped in uncertainty.
Without decisive diplomatic intervention and renewed international financial commitment, Sudan’s humanitarian emergency is likely to deepen, prolonging suffering and undermining prospects for stability across the region.
