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The UN and the crisis in Sudan

10.2 million
displaced by conflict since 15 April 2023
14,000+
reportedly killed
26 million
People in need of assistance in 2024

What is the crisis about?

On 15 April 15, 2023, the fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The armed conflict is affecting millions of lives in Sudan and causing mass displacement, food insecurity and education challenges that require immediate humanitarian help.

Right now, Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe with over 25 million people in desperate need of assistance.

More information on the background to the conflict.

Latest developments

30 July

© UNICEF/Mohamed Zakaria Families in North Darfur have moved to centres for displaced people.
© UNICEF/Mohamed Zakaria Families in North Darfur have moved to centres for displaced people.

29 July

  • WHO is appalled by the increasing attacks on health care in Sudan, with 22 such attacks verified in the last 8 weeks alone. Attacks on health care are deplorable and a violation of international humanitarian law. (WHO)
    • Healthcare in Sudan ‘hanging by a thread,’ warns UN agency (UN News)
  • The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, condemns attacks at a hospital and livestock market in Al Fasher, North Darfur (OCHA)
  • UN official warns more people will die unless aid scaled up in Darfur (OCHA)

25 July

  • Across Sudan, Peace-Building Systems Are Bringing Women Together as They Drive Social Cohesion and Peace (UNDP)

24 July

23 July

  • Sudan Fact-Finding Mission documents disturbing patterns of rights violations on mission in Chad (OHCHR)

22 July

  • As Sudan’s war rages, its farmers help fill the hunger gap (WFP)

19 July

  • Statement of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, after the conclusion of the Geneva Proximity Talks. (OSSG)
  • Heavy fighting in Sudan has severely curtailed humanitarian aid deliveries across vast areas of the southeast, the UN World Food Programme, WFP, said on Friday. (UN News)
© UNICEF/Ahmed Mohamdeen Elfatih A child and mother peer through a window in Alsabaat community, Kassala state.
© UNICEF/Ahmed Mohamdeen Elfatih A child and mother peer through a window in Alsabaat community, Kassala state.

18 July

  • As women bear the brunt of displacement, strengthening their agricultural resilience offers hope amid rising food insecurity (UNDP)
  • “We had a happy life before the war” From Sudan to South Sudan: Stories of loss, trauma and resilience (OCHA)

17 July

  • Sudan conflict and refugee crisis, Multi-country External Situation Report #2-17 July 2024 (WHO)

16 July

Hunger and fear of famine stalk Sudan where a staggering 800,000 people still remain trapped in the North Darfur capital El Fasher without enough food, water or medical support, the World Health Organization, WHO, said on Tuesday, 16 July. (UN News)

10-12 July

UN-led talks between Sudan’s warring parties were continuing in Geneva on Friday to advance discussions on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, with “possible local ceasefires” being a means to that end. (UN News)

The members of the Security Council reiterated their extremely grave concern at the dire humanitarian situation and acute food insecurity in Sudan. They also expressed their deep concern at the continued violations of international law in Sudan and the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict on civilians, including women and children. (UNSU)

  • As fighting shifts east, WFP supports people displaced from Sennar. The UN World Food Programme is responding as a new wave of displacement creates more challenges for Sudan, the world’s largest hunger crisis. (WFP)
  • Radhouane Nouicer, the Designated Expert on Sudan of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sounded the alarm about the dire human rights situation in the country as the fighting spreads to new areas.“Since the start of this senseless conflict last year, the civilian population in Sudan has been exposed to unprecedented levels of violence and suffering. As always in times of war, it is civilians who are bearing the brunt. The scale and magnitude of human rights violations and abuses committed in Sudan are appalling,” said Nouicer in a statement at the end of a five-day visit to Port Sudan.
  • Communique adopted at the Sudan Women’s Dialogue (UN Women)
  • WHO Steps Up Cross-Regional Efforts for Sudan’s Humanitarian Emergency (WHO)

5 July

Fresh fighting in southeast Sudan is exacerbating civilian suffering, with reports that over 136,000 people have fled their homes in search of safety, UN humanitarians have said. (UN News)

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