Over 30 million Sudanese need urgent humanitarian aid: UN agencies
Sudan is grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with more than 30 million people requiring urgent assistance, including over 9.6 million internally displaced persons and nearly 15 million children, according to a joint statement by four UN agencies Thursday.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) called for immediate international attention to the escalating crisis.
“Over 900 days of brutal fighting, widespread human rights violations, famine, and the collapse of essential services have pushed millions, especially women and children, to the brink of survival,” the statement said.
During recent visits to Sudan, senior officials from the agencies witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict across Darfur, Khartoum, and other affected areas. Now in its third year, the fighting has destroyed critical services, including healthcare and education. Parts of the country were declared famine-stricken last year, and malnutrition among children remains alarmingly high.
The agencies highlighted that families returning to Sudan, many determined to rebuild their lives, reflect a fragile but hopeful shift. “Yet Sudan remains a country in deep crisis,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM deputy director general for operations.
Access to the hardest-hit populations remains extremely limited due to insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles, and logistical challenges, complicating the delivery of life-saving aid. “This is one of the worst protection crises we have seen in decades,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements.
Funding shortfalls are worsening the situation. The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan, requiring $4.2 billion, has received only 25 percent of the needed funds.
The agencies jointly urged for an immediate end to hostilities, protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, simplified aid delivery procedures, urgent funding to scale up interventions, and continued support for displaced populations and nearly 900,000 refugees inside Sudan.