The Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Explained
The Sudan Humanitarian Crisis Explained
The Sudan humanitarian crisis has escalated into the world’s largest emergency. Following over two years of conflict, there is still no end in sight. The country is facing ongoing destruction and violence and a collapsed healthcare system. Millions of people have been displaced and the risk of the largest famine in the world in over 40 years is growing.
An overview of the Sudan humanitarian crisis
Almost 13 million [1] people have been forced to flee their homes since conflict between armed parties broke out in Sudan on 15 April 2023. Lives are being shattered by a cycle of violence, hunger, and displacement. The long-term health and security of the population of Sudan is at threat.
The Sudan crisis has been called ‘the most devastating humanitarian and displacement crisis in the world’. More children have been forced to flee from their homes in Sudan than anywhere else in the world at present. Famine and humanitarian conditions are expected to worsen further as the conflict continues, with almost 25 million now at risk of starvation.
What has caused the crisis in Sudan?
Sudan was already experiencing high levels of humanitarian need before the conflict began on 15 April 2023. Challenges such as displacement, economic instability and food insecurity were rife. Since then, the humanitarian crisis that has unfolded from the conflict has rapidly escalated. Sudan is now the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with 16 million Sudanese children need urgent support. This is more than the populations of London, Paris and Rome combined.
Why is the humanitarian crisis getting worse
A combination of escalating conflict, displacement, and lack of access to aid is causing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan to spiral out of control. Millions of people are in dire need of food, water, shelter, medical help and safety.
In 2025, over half the population of Sudan will require humanitarian assistance. Among them are 16 million children [2].
Conflict
Conflict is having a lethal impact on people in Sudan, who have been injured, killed, and subjected to sexual violence. Children and their families have faced unimaginable trauma. Medical and psychosocial support needs are immense and increasing.
Essential infrastructure such as markets and hospitals have been destroyed, and the economy and social services near collapse.
Climate change
Sudan has been severely impacted by climate change over recent years. Droughts and floods have led to crop and livestock destruction, displacement and water scarcity.
The conflict is exacerbating these issues. Given access challenges and limited aid levels from donors, communities are often left without the support they need to manage the impacts of climate change.
Disruption of aid supplies
Armed parties in Sudan are hindering or preventing aid groups and supplies reaching the most vulnerable. Coupled with the collapse of essential infrastructure and funding cuts from governments across the world, millions of people in Sudan are now facing malnutrition or starvation.
Displacement in Sudan
We are witnessing the world’s largest displacement of children [3]. Violence is driving millions to flee their homes. And the number is increasing by the day as the conflict rages on.
Children and their families are often forced into living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions where food, clean water and healthcare are difficult to access. This leads to hunger and disease spreading. Children that are forced to flee their homes often lose access to education and miss critical years of learning.
Young people who are out of school, displaced and separated or unaccompanied face significant risks of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Displaced and refugee adolescent girls face significant risks of sexual violence, child marriage and sexual exploitation. Adolescent boys in Sudan are particularly vulnerable for use and recruitment into armed forces and armed groups.
Causes of displacement
Violence, uncertainty and a lack of necessities, such as food and water, have forced people to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
How many people are displaced in Sudan?
Over 12.7 million people in Sudan have been forced from their homes because of the conflict.
8.6 million of these people are internally displaced in Sudan, 53% of which are children under the age of 18 [4].
Where are those displaced in Sudan forced to move to?
Many of those displaced in Sudan are seeking safety in neighbouring countries. Almost 4 million [5] people have crossed international borders, placing strain on countries including, Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Central African Republic, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Over 770,000 [6] refugees have returned to Sudan despite the conflict but are not able to return to their homes. This is increasing the pressure on already overwhelmed displacement camps.
Famine conditions and food insecurity in Sudan
Sudan is facing a hunger crisis of devastating proportions. Families across Sudan are struggling to access enough food to feed their children, and their lives and livelihoods are in immediate danger.
Famine conditions were found in Sudan by the IPC (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification) in late 2024 [7]. This is only the third time such an identification has been made worldwide this millennium.
Famine is not just a lack of food. It indicates a breakdown of health, social structures, and livelihoods. Entire communities are left in a state of desperation.
Without immediate, unhindered humanitarian access, famine risks worsening, especially for women and children.
Causes of famine and food scarcity
The hunger crisis is driven by a combination of factors. The ongoing violence has disrupted food production as families fleeing for safety have had to abandon farmland and livestock.
It has also restricted movements of goods and disrupted markets. Food prices are soaring and there are problems with accessing physical cash to buy food. The little food that is available is too expensive for families that need it the most.
People who have been forced to flee often live in camps or settlements that are overcrowded and have limited access to food and water.
Worst affected areas
The IPC Famine Review Committee projected that famine will persist in Zamzam, Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps and the Western Nuba mountains. It will soon expand to five additional localities in North Darfur. They have also flagged a risk of famine in 17 additional areas across Sudan. [8]
How many people are facing famine and food insecurity?
At least 638,000 people in Sudan will be at immediate risk of dying due to hunger.
25 million people in Sudan could soon be at risk of starvation – equal to almost half the population of England. [9]
The state of healthcare and essential services in Sudan
Sudan is currently grappling with multiple disease outbreaks including cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles, and rubella.
Healthcare systems in Sudan have collapsed. Access to care has been made impossible for millions [10] due to the destruction of health facilities, and a shortage of medical personnel and supplies.
People are dying from illnesses, conflict-related injuries and malnutrition. Disruptions to immunisation campaigns mean children are dying from preventable diseases.
International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Sudan
There have been flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law in Sudan.
Plan International condemns all grave violations against children in conflict: maiming and killing, abductions, sexual violence, recruitment, attacks against schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.
We call on all parties to the conflict to prevent and immediately end attacks against children and all civilians and to respect International Humanitarian Law. Children must be better protected, supported and we must be able to access them.
What is the humanitarian response plan in Sudan?
Plan International has been working in Sudan for more than 45 years. We continue to work with children and their families in Sudan against overwhelming odds.
We’re working closely with communities in neighbouring countries where families are fleeing the violence, including Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. Our strong presence in the region means we can reach children affected by the crisis more effectively.
Progress being made
Together with local partners, we are responding across Sudan to immediate needs like food, water and shelter.
We are also ensuring girls’ specific needs are met.
This includes distributing dignity kits so girls can manage their periods and maintain hygiene safely. As well as running activities to prevent gender-based violence.
Child-friendly spaces are also being set up to support children's wellbeing.
The spaces provide psychosocial support and keep children learning by providing education opportunities.
The impact on children and girls
The conflict has a horrifying impact on children’s lives. Children have witnessed and been subject to brutal violence. They’ve lost loved ones. They’ve fled their homes and said goodbye to their schools and communities.
School closures have meant children have been left without anywhere to learn, putting the future of the next generation at great risk. We know that once forced out of school, girls are more likely to experience sexual violence and exploitation and less likely to ever return to the classroom again.
Girls are especially vulnerable in this crisis. Reports of gender-based violence have surged since the conflict started, and when hunger strikes, girls often eat last and least. When families struggle to feed their children, the risk of early and forced marriage increases.
How you can support those affected by the crisis
You can support those affected by the Sudan crisis by signing our petition to demand rapid action from the UK Government.
We’re calling for swift action from the UK Government to help save lives, including through:
- the UK Government doing much more to help negotiate and secure a ceasefire, and:
- the UK Government further scaling-up emergency aid over the coming weeks and months, to help people at risk of starvation and disease.
You can also help keep children safe and protected in Sudan, by donating to our emergency appeal. Your donation will help to provide food, water, dignity kits and psychosocial support.
Together with our local partners we can reach children with the support they need. We must act now to save lives.
References
[1,4,5,6] UNHR - Sudan
[2] OCHA - Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025
[3] OCHA - Sudan: One Year of Conflict - Key Facts and Figures
[7,8,9,10] IPC - Sudan: Acute Food Insecurity Snapshot
*Note to readers: The crisis in Sudan continues to evolve each day. This page reflects the most accurate information available at the time of writing.