Sudan in crisis: Devastation, displacement, and the struggle for global recognition

In April 2023, Sudan was thrown into a devastating conflict when two factions—the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF)—of the military regime turned against each other. The fighting quickly escalated, becoming one of the deadliest internal clashes in recent Sudanese history.

The conflict in Sudan has precipitated a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions. To date, more than 11 million people have been displaced, as civilians bear the brunt of the violence and instability. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, Sudan was already grappling with severe challenges, including widespread food insecurity affecting over 15 million individuals and approximately 3.7 million internally displaced persons. The country also hosted around 1.3 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan.

The state of affairs has drastically worsened since the war began. Although the true number is probably higher, reports as of May 2024 suggested that the violence had claimed the lives of over 16,000 people. Since April 2023, more than 9.3 million people have been forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). This number includes nearly two million refugees who have fled to neighboring countries and over seven million internally displaced people.

The infrastructure of Sudan has suffered significant damage as a result of the conflict. In densely populated residential areas, hospitals, prisons, schools, and other facilities have been the target of airstrikes and shelling. The country’s healthcare system is now seriously weakened as a result of this devastation, raising concerns about disease outbreaks. Health officials have issued warnings that millions of people lack access to safe drinking water, which is making cholera, dengue fever, and malaria worse in a number of states.

In addition to these broader effects, women and girls have suffered awful things, particular repercussions from the conflict. UN Women claims that the crisis has caused a “catastrophic increase in gender-based violence,” with the number of reported cases having doubled. Women and girls in Sudan are more vulnerable to violence, abuse, and exploitation as a result of the breakdown of numerous protective institutions and limited access to support services. Due to the disruption of vital services, many vulnerable women now lack a safety net as access to safe shelters, legal assistance, and healthcare has grown more difficult to come by. “Women and girls in Sudan are facing unimaginable challenges, yet their strength and resilience continue to inspire us. We cannot let Sudan become a forgotten crisis,” says Hodan Addou, acting Regional Director for UN Women’s East and Southern Africa office.

The impact of food insecurity is staggering, with 64% of female-headed households experiencing food scarcity compared to 48% of male-headed households across ten states; women and girls are often forced to eat last and least. Access to healthcare is also severely limited; 1.63 million women of reproductive age, including pregnant women, do not have access to basic health services. In terms of water, sanitation, and hygiene, at least 80% of women who have been internally displaced are unable to obtain clean water because of cost, distance, and safety issues. With more than 2.5 million girls (74% of school-age females) presently not attending school, this crisis has also disrupted schooling, making them more susceptible to female genital mutilation and child marriage.

Context of the conflict

The RSF is a paramilitary group that developed from militias that were first established in the Darfur region of Sudan. These militias were first referred to as the Janjaweed, a group that, in the early 2000s, engaged in violent campaigns against civilians and rebels in Darfur, and that were later accused of violating human rights after their methods gained them a reputation for cruelty.

Under the leadership of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as ‘Hemedti,’ the RSF grew into a formidable force with around 150,000 fighters. Because of its financial independence and control over important resources, such as gold mines, the RSF is able to function with a high degree of autonomy and frequently competes with the national army. In order to appeal to some sections of the populace, Hemedti has positioned the RSF as a defender of rural and underprivileged communities. However, the RSF’s considerable autonomy and power have made its inclusion in the national military a divisive topic.

The official military of Sudan is represented by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which has long served as the main political and military force in the nation. The SAF, which is in charge of maintaining public order and national security, is a representation of Sudan’s traditional power structure. The SAF maintained a significant amount of influence within Sudan's transitional government, which sought to steer the nation toward civilian rule, after longtime leader Omar al-Bashir was overthrown. But the military has consistently stalled and interfered with democratic processes, leading to the coup in 2021 that installed General al-Burhan as the leader. The SAF sees Hemedti’s forces as a challenge to its dominance and is concerned about the RSF’s increasing strength and autonomy.

International response and aid efforts

With their own strategic interests in Sudan, regional and international actors have taken a keen interest in the SAF’s power struggle with the RSF. For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have grown to be significant actors in the conflict. Because they view Sudan’s stability, or lack thereof as essential to their regional agendas, both countries have offered differing degrees of support to its factions. Saudi Arabia has traditionally supported the SAF more because it believes that regional security will benefit from a stable Sudan under al-Burhan’s rule. In the meantime, the UAE has increased its sway over the region and expressed interest in fortifying its connections with Sudanese leaders from a variety of political backgrounds, including Hemedti and the RSF. This involvement has made the conflict more difficult because outside assistance frequently gives factions more confidence, making peaceful resolutions harder to reach.

The United States has also taken notice on the international scene, with American lawmakers advocating for a more active diplomatic role. A bipartisan Senate bill that was introduced in October 2024 calls for greater diplomatic pressure to help mediate the conflict and calls on the United States to become more involved.

In response to Sudan’s growing health crises, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped up its cross-regional operations. The World Health Organization is concentrating on providing critical medical care and increasing cross-border humanitarian aid in recognition of the serious deterioration of the health system, especially in areas like Central Darfur where all 241 health facilities have been damaged. Optimizing operations throughout Chad, Sudan, and the offices of the African Region (AFRO) and the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) in order to efficiently serve the impacted populations is a crucial part of this approach.

In addition to foreign campaigns, many people have found solace in Sudanese aid networks. These volunteer-led organizations, which include Sudanese living in the nation and abroad, have come together to offer food, shelter, and psychological support to individuals who have been displaced by the conflict. These mutual aidorganizations, which frequently reach places that are inaccessible to international organizations, function with an acute understanding of local needs and customs, in contrast to larger relief organizations. They have proven to be more flexible in responding to pressing demands as they emerge and have played a significant role in bridging gaps, particularly in urban war zones.

Inkstick Media claims that these grassroots networks demonstrate Sudan’s “unseen resilience,” showing that even under the most extreme conditions, communities can band together and endure. Funds for basic requirements were raised by mutual help networks, frequently avoiding official procedures that may be hampered or delayed by political obstacles.

The scope of Sudan’s problem has proven too great for international assistance efforts, which have been overburdened by other global conflicts like Gaza and Ukraine. Less than 6% of the required funds had been allocated to the UN’s $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal for Sudan since April 2024. By the end of 2023, just 42% of the $2.57 billion Sudan response plan had been paid, and less than 40% of the $1 billion objective for the regional refugee response had been met.

International aid frequently prioritizes immediate relief over resolving fundamental problems. In addition to long-standing infrastructure and governance issues, Sudan and its neighbors are also seeing the effects of climate change. Without funding for long-term solutions like infrastructure, climate adaption, and local economic support, humanitarian aid will only be a band-aid solution that can't address the underlying vulnerabilities that make these communities susceptible to crises.

Need of global attention

Unimaginable suffering has resulted from the Sudan crisis, which has left millions of people displaced and vital infrastructure in ruins while the world looks on with little action. From food insecurity to gender-based violence, women and girls face disproportionately harsh obstacles, and mutual aid organizations are unable to adequately address the scope of the needs on their own. However, local communities that persevere in the face of hardship are proof of Sudan's tenacity.

While emergency aid is crucial, it cannot address the root causes of Sudan’s instability, including governance issues, economic vulnerabilities, and the impacts of climate change. To pave the way for peace and a sustainable future, international actors must commit to both immediate relief and long-term investments in resilience and infrastructure.

However, this crisis has not received the global attention it deserves. While other conflicts dominate the headlines, Sudan’s suffering is largely overlooked. Raising awareness is essential to mobilize funds and address Sudan's urgent needs. Importantly, nations must prioritize diplomacy and Sudanese-led peace efforts over providing arms, which only fuel the cycle of violence. The world must act swiftly, with unity and compassion, to ensure Sudan’s crisis is not forgotten and to help build a path toward lasting peace.