The legacy of Sudan’s year of war

One year ago today, brutal fighting erupted in Sudan, marking the beginning of a relentless conflict that has become one of the world's worst humanitarian tragedies in recent memory, according to a statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami. As Ms. Nkweta-Salami warns, "The longer the fighting continues, the worse the tragedy gets"

The numbers speak for themselves: a staggering half of Sudan's population, some 25 million people, now require life-saving humanitarian assistance. This figure includes a heartbreaking 8.6 million people displaced from their homes, both internally and across borders, with 4 million of them being children. The ongoing violence has also claimed a devastating human cost, with over 14,000 innocent lives lost.

The situation grows more dire with each passing day. "Nearly 5 million people are one step away from famine and 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity - 10 million more people than the same time last year," Ms. Nkweta-Salami said. 

Justin Brady, head of the UN humanitarian relief office (OCHA) in Sudan, paints a grim picture on the ground. "Without more resources," he warned UN News, "not only will we not be able to stop a famine, we're not going to be able to help basically anybody". The current response plan is woefully underfunded, with only 6 per cent of the $2.7 billion needed secured.

The logistical challenges are immense. Humanitarian efforts are hampered by insecurity, communication blackouts, and bureaucratic hurdles. Even with supplies available in Port Sudan, getting them to those in desperate need remains a critical issue, with reports of looted aid warehouses and dangerous travel conditions.

Sudan's suffering extends far beyond statistics. Fatima*, a former UN staff member who fled her home, recounts the horrors she witnessed: systematic ethnic violence, targeted killings, and a desperate escape amidst a city strewn with bodies. Hers is just one story among millions, a testament to the human cost of this conflict.

Despite an extremely difficult and dangerous operating environment, United Nations agencies and their partners have reached more than 8 million people with lifesaving assistance over the last year. In 2024, humanitarian partners have appealed for US$4.1 billion through the 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and the 2024 Sudan Refuge Response Plan to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighbouring countries that have been kind enough to host large populations of Sudanese refugees. So far, only 6 per cent of the funding required for the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been received.

As Ms. Nkweta-Salami concludes, "The continuing violence is out of hand. The suffering of millions of people in Sudan needs to end once and for all". The international community must act swiftly to address this forgotten crisis, providing the necessary resources and ensuring safe access to deliver life-saving aid before it's too late.

_{* Name changed to protect her identity}

This article is based on content from the Statement by the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, marking one year of conflict, and an article that first appeared on UN News. 

To learn more about the UN’s work in Sudan visit sudan.un.org