Sudan’s civilians have suffered over eight months of violent conflict since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. Heavy fighting that started in Khartoum, quickly spread to Darfur and the Kordofans and has had an impact on every state in the country. The conflict has displaced millions of people to the extent that it’s now the largest displacement and protection crisis in the world. There seems to be no reprieve in sight for the Sudanese. The level and extent of the violence and abuse brings back sad memories from twenty years ago in Darfur.
The hope that was previously brought forth in 2019 has dissipated as the humanitarian needs keep growing. Almost 25 million people require assistance in 2024. The severity levels are increasing.
The fighting has also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including water and healthcare, the collapse of banking and financial services, frequent interruptions to electricity supply and telecommunication services and widespread looting. An estimated 70 per cent of health facilities in states affected by conflict are not working, and the remaining ones are overwhelmed by the influx of people seeking assistance.
Sudan is a place where dreams of a bright future for its children are dissipating. To date, 3 million children are displaced making Sudan the country with the highest number of displaced children globally. In addition, 19 million are not in school. The child protection crisis that is emerging as a result of the present conflict will impact not only today’s generation, but most likely the next.
I am extremely concerned about our capacity to protect those who need it, particularly women and girls and our ability to provide civilians with the aid that they need in this increasingly fraught landscape.
There are some communities that we have not been able to reach since April and their conditions are deteriorating at a rapid speed. Lack of access due to insecurity and bureaucratic impediments are hindering humanitarian organizations from reaching those in need. Every distribution is composed of multiple steps that eat away time and resources. We have had to temper our response plan for next year due to the operational constraints we are facing.
Despite these operational challenges, a lack of resources poses another impediment in those instances where we could do more. To reach those we are intending to assist, we need considerably more resources than materialized in 2023.
In addition to impediments and funding, attention is a daunting challenge. The world is dealing with a multitude of crises, many of which receive much more attention than the crisis in Sudan, but it is not because of the scale. In that regard, the Sudan crisis has few equals. We remain dedicated to ensuring that the suffering of Sudan’s people, especially the women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities who are Sudan’s most vulnerable and inescapably caught up in this war, is not ignored or forgotten. We will also continue to stress the global obligations we all share to end that suffering and foster peace and reconciliation.
In 2024, humanitarian organizations plan to provide humanitarian assistance and support to 14.7 million of the most vulnerable people at the cost of US$2.7 billion. This plan, a collective effort of all humanitarian actors and stakeholders in the country, will address the specific needs of women, children, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups.
The 2024 HRP will, as in previous years, prioritize multi-cluster, life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable. We appreciate the generous support from donors and urge them to continue supporting humanitarian action in Sudan, it’s needed now more than ever.
Clementine Nkweta-Salami
Humanitarian Coordinator
Sudan