Sudan’s humanitarian crisis deepens as international community struggles to respond effectively.
At a Glance
- Sudan faces world’s largest hunger crisis with 26 million experiencing acute hunger
- Over 10 million people displaced since April 2023
- Conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces continues
- UN calls for immediate action to halt fighting and protect civilians
- Humanitarian efforts hindered by underfunding and restricted access
Sudan’s Descent into Chaos
Sudan, once a beacon of hope in Africa, now stands at the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe. The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has plunged the nation into an abyss of suffering, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The situation in El Fasher, North Darfur, has become particularly dire, with hundreds of thousands of people at risk of mass violence.
The scale of the crisis is staggering. Over 10 million people have been displaced since April 2023, with more than 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. These numbers represent not just statistics, but individual lives torn apart by conflict. Families have been separated, communities destroyed, and livelihoods shattered.
UN: 'Immediate action' needed to halt fighting in Sudan's Darfurhttps://t.co/8Y3YQkNJQO
— Voice of America (@VOANews) September 20, 2024
Hunger and Health Crisis
The most immediate threat facing the Sudanese people is hunger. Sudan now faces the world’s largest hunger crisis, with nearly 26 million people experiencing acute hunger. The situation is so severe that famine has been confirmed in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp. Children are particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition rates skyrocketing.
“Latest screening by MSF and the Ministry of Health between 1 and 5 September indicates that the situation is only getting worse,” she said, noting that about 34 per cent of the children are malnourished, including 10 per cent severely malnourished.
The health crisis extends beyond malnutrition. With health services decimated, diseases like cholera are on the rise. Children have been out of school for the second year running, robbing them of their future. The crisis has also led to high levels of sexual and gender-based violence, further traumatizing an already suffering population.
International Response and Challenges
The international community’s response to the crisis has been woefully inadequate. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan, which seeks $2.7 billion, is only 49% funded. The Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan, requiring $1.5 billion, is a mere 25% funded. This severe underfunding severely hampers humanitarian efforts.
“People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow. Thousands of civilians have been killed, entire communities displaced and deprived of food, families scattered, children traumatized, women raped and abused. Decisive international action is urgent. We need humanitarian access to everyone in need, through all necessary routes, ramped-up funding for the response, ironclad commitments to protect civilians, and most of all, real and inclusive steps to end this ruinous war.”
The United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate halt to the fighting and increased protection for civilians. However, these calls have largely fallen on deaf ears. The warring parties continue to disregard civilian suffering, prioritizing their power struggle over the welfare of the Sudanese people.
A Call for Action
The situation in Sudan demands immediate and decisive action from the international community. The United Nations General Assembly must prioritize addressing this crisis to prevent further loss of life. Key actors, particularly those responsible for civilian protection in Sudan, need to step up their efforts.
“We urge members of the Security Council to employ their collective leverage to help protect the population caught in the crossfire,” Martha Pobee, U.N. assistant secretary-general for Africa, told council members.
The world cannot afford to look away from the suffering in Sudan. Increased funding, improved humanitarian access, and a renewed commitment to brokering peace are urgently needed. The lives of millions hang in the balance, and the stability of the entire region is at stake. It’s time for the international community to live up to its responsibilities and take concrete action to address this unfolding catastrophe.
