Key Points at a Glance:
30.4 million people need aid; 20.9 million are targeted by UN appeals.
Over 8 million internally displaced; 3.3 million have fled across borders.
Famine declared in five areas, with 8.1 million at risk of starvation.
UN struggling to meet funding goals amid bureaucratic and violence-related hurdles.
More than 30 million people, including over half who are children, are in desperate need of aid in Sudan after 20 months of brutal conflict, the United Nations reported on Monday.
The UN has launched a $4.2 billion appeal to assist 20.9 million people out of the 30.4 million in need, calling the situation in Sudan an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”
War's Toll on Sudan:
The conflict, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This devastating war has left tens of thousands dead and caused more than 8 million internally displaced, making Sudan the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.
Additionally, 3.3 million people have fled across borders, meaning over a quarter of Sudan’s pre-war population of 50 million is now uprooted.
Looming Famine:
Famine has already been declared in five areas, with another five regions expected to fall into famine by May. Currently, 8.1 million people are on the brink of starvation.
While the Sudanese army-aligned government denies the presence of famine, aid agencies face bureaucratic obstacles and ongoing violence that hinder their efforts. Both the army and the RSF have been accused of weaponizing starvation.
Funding Crisis:
Despite the severity of the crisis, the UN has struggled to secure even 25% of its targeted funds to address the needs of the impoverished nation.
The Sudan conflict continues to push the country toward collapse, with millions caught in the crossfire and aid workers pleading for international support.
