The situation in Sudan has reached a critical tipping point, with escalating violence, mass displacement, and the threat of widespread famine, according to a recent statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. Speaking at the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Sudan, Türk painted a grim picture of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding since the armed conflict began in 2023.
A Humanitarian Crisis of Unimaginable Scale
The conflict has plunged Sudan into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 600,000 people on the verge of starvation. Famine has gripped five regions, including the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur, where the World Food Programme (WFP) recently suspended lifesaving operations due to intense fighting. An additional five areas could face famine within three months, and a further 17 are at serious risk.
The scale of displacement is staggering. An estimated 8.8 million people have been forced from their homes within Sudan, while 3.5 million have fled across borders, creating the largest displacement crisis globally. With 30.4 million people in need of urgent assistance—from healthcare to food and basic humanitarian support—less than 30% of hospitals and clinics remain operational. The spread of diseases in overcrowded displacement camps is exacerbating the crisis.
Conflict’s Deadly Toll on Civilians
The conflict, primarily between Sudan’s Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to widespread atrocities. Recent attacks in Al Qetina, White Nile State, attributed to RSF, resulted in hundreds of deaths, with reports of rape and abduction. Hospitals, schools, and displacement camps have become frequent targets, and the death toll continues to rise.
The humanitarian crisis is worsened by targeted attacks on civilians along ethnic and tribal lines, often incited by hate speech. Sexual violence has become a horrifying weapon of war, with over half of reported rape cases involving gang rape. Many incidents remain unreported due to stigma, fear of reprisal, and the collapse of medical and judicial systems.
Child recruitment by both sides of the conflict, driven by poverty and school closures, highlights the desperation of Sudanese families. Arbitrary detentions and threats to journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society activists are increasingly common, with at least 12 journalists killed during the reporting period.
