Sudan’s Crisis Now Among the World’s Worst, Warns UNHCR
With conflict still raging and access to aid severely restricted, the crisis in Sudan has escalated into one of the world’s worst emergencies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cautioned on Monday.
“This is a very, very sad milestone,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director for East Africa, marking two years since the conflict began. “We are witnessing widespread human rights violations, mass displacement, and a devastating toll on millions of lives.”
A Nation in Ruins
The war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has plunged the country into a full-blown humanitarian disaster. Over half of Sudan’s population—approximately 25 million people—are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Yet, security challenges and major funding shortfalls have left many areas unreachable.
The UNHCR’s $1.8 billion Regional Refugee Response Plan for 2025, which aims to assist 4.8 million refugees and host communities, has received only 10% of the required funding. Mr. Balde emphasized the remarkable generosity of local communities, many of whom are sharing their limited resources with fleeing refugees. But he called on international donors to step up urgently.
Famine Grips the Nation
The crisis has become even more dire as hunger reaches catastrophic levels. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reports that famine has already taken hold in 10 areas, with 17 more at imminent risk.
In some places, emergency food aid is the only thing preventing mass starvation. However, escalating violence and a lack of funding continue to hamper food distributions. “Without immediate assistance, especially in famine or famine-risk zones, thousands of lives hang in the balance,” said Makena Walker, WFP’s Acting Country Director in Sudan. She urged warring parties to allow safe, unhindered access for life-saving convoys.
Children Pay the Highest Price
Children are among the most vulnerable victims of the crisis. According to UNICEF, child casualties have increased by 83% compared to earlier in 2024. Many children are at risk of sexual and gender-based violence or being recruited into armed groups. Education has come to a halt for millions.
Tragically, 146,000 children are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year. Without treatment, they are up to 11 times more likely to die than well-nourished children.
A Collapsing Health System
Sudan is also facing a major public health emergency. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 20.3 million people urgently need medical care. Outbreaks of deadly diseases like cholera, measles, malaria, and dengue are spreading through two-thirds of the country; cholera alone has killed over 1,500 people.
The health system is teetering on collapse. In the areas hardest hit by the conflict, 38% of hospitals are completely non-functional, while the rest are only partially operating. Attacks on healthcare facilities have surged, with 156 incidents confirmed over the past two years, leading to hundreds of casualties.
“This is not only a famine but also a health and protection crisis,” said WHO’s Sudan Representative, Shible Sahbani. WHO has scaled back operations due to funding cuts, putting 4.7 million people at risk of losing access to critical health services in 2025. Services at 335 facilities—including emergency care and trauma treatment—could be reduced or eliminated.
Delivering Aid Against All Odds
Despite the overwhelming challenges, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations continue working to reach those in need.
Since fighting began, WFP has supported over 13 million people with food and nutritional aid. WHO has provided healthcare for over one million people, treated 75,000 children with severe malnutrition, and vaccinated 11.5 million children against polio and measles.
However, aid workers warn that the situation is deteriorating rapidly—particularly in the Darfur region, and in parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazirah—where ongoing violence and blockades are cutting communities off from help.
Mr. Balde reiterated the call for global action: “We call for peace, protection and sustained support. Only then can normal life be restored, and refugees return home.”
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