After one year of war, Sudan has descended into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The country is at imminent risk of collapsing after one year of violent conflict and is on the verge of mass famine with its food supply decimated and young children now starving to death in its cities, villages, and displacement camps.
Over the past year the war has spread across the country, creating what is now the world’s largest displacement crisis. 8.4 million people – 2 million of them children under 5 years old – have been forced to flee their homes. Many are living in temporary camps where conditions are abysmal.
Around 15,000 people are confirmed killed, but the real death toll is likely to be much higher as fatalities are believed to be underreported and the death toll from hunger, disease and lack of basic services could rise far higher. At least 52 aid workers have been killed.
24.8 million people – almost half the population, now need humanitarian assistance.
One year of brutal conflict has destroyed lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure. Communities are reporting horrific violence such as mass rape of women and civilians being enslaved or buried alive.
Diseases such as malaria and measles are also rife, and around three quarters of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are no longer operating, leaving most people without access to healthcare.
47% of working age adults are now unemployed as the economy collapses, and 19 million children have had their education disrupted.
17.7 million people are now suffering high levels of acute food insecurity, with 5 million people just one step away from famine.
Children are now dying of hunger and Islamic Relief staff are seeing a rapid increase in the number of malnourished children in the health and nutrition centres it supports, including some so emaciated they can barely breathe. More than 3.4 million children are now reported to be acutely malnourished and many families are eating just a few mouthfuls of sorghum a day.
In recent months the fighting has spread to many of Sudan’s main agricultural regions, devastating food production. Many farmers told Islamic Relief that it is too dangerous to access their fields to plant or harvest crops, while trucks carrying food to markets are regularly looted.
Food prices have increased by 83% in the past year – and more than doubled in many areas. 95% of displaced people say food is available but unaffordable.
The humanitarian situation is dire, with families struggling to survive and meet their basic needs.
Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan since 1984. Over the past year Islamic Relief has had to move its main office in Sudan several times as the violence has spread. Sudan is now one of the most dangerous and difficult places to deliver humanitarian aid, with dozens of aid workers killed, offices looted and regular bureaucratic obstruction.
Despite the challenges Islamic Relief has delivered vital aid to more than 650,000 people all over the country, including distributing food and cash, supporting health facilities and providing hygiene and dignity kits. But much more is needed as the violence spreads.
Islamic Relief’s humanitarian response has also consisted of:
Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan for nearly 40 years, and remains by the sides of families caught up in the violence. Please support our life-saving work and donate now.