With fighting not showing any signs of extremely limited slowdown and humanitarian access, the crisis in Sudan has become one of the largest emergencies in the world, the office of the High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) warned on Monday.
“This is a very, very sad step,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, regional director of UNHCR for East Africa, marking two years since the war.
“”We note massive violations, massive trips and a devastating impact on millions of people.“”
A humanitarian disaster
The war, which broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and the paramilitary fast support forces (RSF), sparked a full -fledged humanitarian disaster.
More than half of the population – around 25 million people – require humanitarian assistance And protection, but financing deficits and insecurity have left large expanses of the country out of reach.
The regional refugee response plan directed by UNHCR of $ 1.8 billion for 2025 – which aimed to support 4.8 million refugees and members of the host community – only 10%, said Balde, compromising essential services such as food, refuge, education and health care.
“The communities that have very little share what they have with refugees. It is an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity,” he added, urging the international community to intensify support for the most vulnerable in the region.
Thousands of lives at risk
Hunger has reached catastrophic levels in Sudan, with confirmed famine in 10 areas and 17 others at riskAccording to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).
In some regions, emergency food assistance is the only obstacle to the prevention of famine. However, vital operations are limited by insecurity and lack of funds.
“”Without immediate assistance, especially in famine or risk areas, thousands of lives are at risk“Said Makena Walker, acting country director from WFP in Sudan.
“We can evolve-but we need all parties to guarantee without danger and without hindrance to humanitarian convoys,” she added.
A mother sits alongside her eight -year -old daughter in a hospital in Sudan.
Children hit the hardest
Children remain among the hardest shot.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Children’s losses this year increased 83% compared to the beginning of 2024. Children also run a severe risk of sexual and sexual violence or are forced to armed groups, in addition to losing education.
In addition, around 146,000 children should suffer from acute serious malnutrition this year, leaving them until 11 times more likely to die than a well -fed child.
A public health emergency
The crisis has also rooted in a public health emergencywith more than 20.3 million people now in an urgent need for medical care. Cholera, measles, malaria and dengue are quickly propagated in two -thirds of Sudan states, cholera alone making more than 1,500 lives.
This situation collapses against a health infrastructure on the verge of collapse: 38% of hospitals in the least affected regions are non -functional and the others are only partially operational, according to the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
Attacks on health care has increased, with 156 attacks verified in the past two years, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.
“In addition to being a famine crisis, the humanitarian situation in Sudan is also a crisis in protection and health,” said Shible Sahbani, representative of the country.
The United Nations Health Agency is determined to continue improving access to health of the people of Sudan. However, recent financing reductions have forced to reduce operations, potentially affecting health services.
If the financing does not circulate, 4.7 million people targeted for health interventions this year will be affected. The services of 335 health establishments must also be reduced, including trauma and emergency care.
A woman carries water in her refuge in a camp for people displaced internally east of Sudan.
Work against the odds
Despite challenges, humanitarian workers and UN partners are continuing their efforts to reach the most vulnerable communities with vital assistance.
Since the start of the war, WFP has provided more than 13 million people with food and nutritional support. For its part, which supported more than a million people with health services, processed 75,000 children seriously poorly nourished and helped to vaccinate 11.5 million children against polio and measles.
But humanitarian workers warn that the situation deteriorates quickly, especially in the States of Darfur and in certain parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazirah (also spelled Gezira), where active fights and seats cut civilians.
Mr. Balde reiterated the urgent need of the international community to help silence the weapons to make, “We call for the peace, protection and support sustained – [only then] Normality can return and refugees can go home.“”
