Wayne Lumbasi
Over 30 million people in Sudan are now in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, according to a joint alert by four United Nations agencies: the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP). The agencies warn that the country is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in modern history, as years of conflict, hunger, and economic collapse push millions closer to famine and despair.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has been ongoing for more than 900 days, tearing communities apart and forcing millions from their homes. Over 9.6 million people are internally displaced, while millions more have fled to neighboring countries such as Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt in search of safety. Children are bearing the heaviest burden, with nearly 15 million now in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Many are malnourished, out of school, and suffering from trauma caused by relentless violence and displacement.
Sudan’s education and healthcare systems have almost entirely collapsed. More than 14 million school aged children are currently out of school, with many of their classrooms destroyed or turned into shelters for displaced families. Hospitals are either damaged, closed, or lacking basic supplies, leaving millions without access to medical care. At the same time, food insecurity has reached alarming levels, with some areas already classified as famine zones. The World Food Programme warns that without immediate intervention, hundreds of thousands could die from starvation in the coming months.
Delivering humanitarian aid remains an enormous challenge. Aid convoys are regularly blocked or attacked, and access to conflict zones is restricted by insecurity and bureaucratic barriers. Despite the growing need, the UN says the international response has been severely underfunded. Out of the $4.2 billion required under the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, only about a quarter has been received so far, leaving a massive gap in essential relief efforts such as food, clean water, and medical supplies.
The UN agencies are urging for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted access for humanitarian operations, and a renewed global commitment to supporting Sudan’s people. Without urgent international action, the situation risks spiraling into one of the gravest humanitarian disasters of this century. Sudan’s suffering is not just a regional crisis, but a global test of humanity’s willingness to act before millions more lives are lost.
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