KHARTOUM, September 16, 2025
The United Nations has warned that Sudan is sliding into a full-blown humanitarian crisis as the civil war, mass displacement, and hunger push the country closer to collapse.
Sudan has been torn apart by fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has devastated cities and villages, leaving millions without shelter or food.
Thousands of civilians have been killed in the violence. Entire communities have been wiped out, and farmlands destroyed beyond repair.
Nearly 12 million people have been displaced since the outbreak of the war. More than four million have fled as refugees into Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and other neighboring countries, creating one of the largest refugee crises in Africa.
Humanitarian agencies say Sudan faces what could become the world’s largest hunger crisis in recent history.
Food supplies are blocked by fighting. Trade routes are cut. Supply chains are broken. Millions are on the brink of starvation.
Water trucking to the only functioning hospital was suspended at the weekend, cutting off critical lifelines.
Community kitchens in displacement camps have also shut down after exhausting food supplies.
Officials warn that without urgent international support, the most vulnerable populations could begin to starve within days.
The crisis has been worsened by natural disasters.
On August 31, heavy rains triggered a deadly landslide in parts of Sudan, killing around 400 people. Aid workers report that half of those killed were children.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said civilians remain trapped at the center of the conflict and disasters.
In its appeal, OCHA called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, and increased international support to sustain life-saving operations across Sudan.”
On the diplomatic front, the UN is intensifying efforts to bring Sudan’s warring factions to the table.
The Secretary-General’s envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is in Port Sudan after consultations in Nairobi.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Lamamra has held “very constructive discussions” with Sudanese stakeholders and international partners.
He explained that the goal is to lay the foundation for an inclusive political process that preserves Sudan’s sovereignty and unity.
The UN confirmed it is working with the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the League of Arab States.
According to Dujarric, these regional partners will be central to restarting dialogue and building a lasting political settlement for Sudan. GMTNewsng
