Sudan has been described as reaching a “catastrophic breaking point” due to ongoing conflicts and devastating floods. The civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has displaced nearly 10.7 million people and claimed the lives of over 14,000 individuals. The western region of Darfur has witnessed mass rapes and ethnically motivated killings, condemned by the U.N. as war crimes. Recent floods have further worsened the humanitarian crisis, resulting in deaths and destruction of critical infrastructure across 11 provinces in Sudan.
International organizations, such as the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration, have highlighted the dire situation in Sudan. The war in Sudan has led to the largest displacement crisis globally, with over 10.7 million people forced to flee their homes, including 2 million who sought refuge in neighboring countries. Aid workers have been struggling to provide relief to internally displaced persons in Darfur, with limited access and logistical challenges hampering humanitarian efforts. Urgent global response is needed to prevent tens of thousands of preventable deaths in the coming months, according to IOM’s regional director.
Despite the alarming situation, peace talks are scheduled to take place in Switzerland, with the hope of resolving the conflict. The Rapid Support Forces have expressed willingness to participate in the talks, while the Sudanese Armed Forces’ commitment remains uncertain. Efforts are being made by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and other stakeholders to bring the military to the negotiating table in order to make progress towards peace. The escalation of the crisis has led to famine conditions in Zamzam camp in North Darfur, as determined by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s Famine Review Committee.
The scale of hunger in Sudan is staggering, with an estimated 25.6 million people facing acute hunger, including over 755,000 individuals on the brink of famine. The humanitarian situation is critical, and access to essential food and aid is urgently needed to alleviate the suffering of millions in Sudan. International aid agencies and organizations have issued appeals for humanitarian assistance and calls for warring parties to allow relief efforts to reach those in need. The devastating impact of the conflict and floods in Sudan highlights the urgent need for a coordinated global response to prevent further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the nation.
