Sudan Faces Big Problems Because of Fighting

By Newsroom | Sudan, Conflict |

Khartoum, Sudan – A catastrophic humanitarian crisis is unfolding across Sudan as prolonged conflict intensifies, displacing millions and severely impacting essential services. The ongoing fighting, primarily between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has created a dire situation for civilians, with widespread shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. International aid organizations are struggling to reach those most in need due to access restrictions and security concerns, exacerbating the suffering. The scale of the devastation suggests a complex web of factors contributing to the current predicament, demanding a comprehensive understanding of the intertwined dynamics at play.

The current unrest traces its roots to December 2022, when initial agreements for a transition to civilian rule faltered. The April 2023 eruption of large-scale fighting between the SAF and RSF in Khartoum marked a significant escalation, rapidly spreading to other regions, including Darfur. Key actors include the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. Their power struggle has fundamentally fractured the nation.

Evidence of the escalating crisis is starkly illustrated by United Nations reports detailing staggering displacement figures.

  • As of early 2024, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported over 8 million people displaced internally or seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

  • Medical facilities are operating at a fraction of their capacity, with many destroyed or looted. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented numerous attacks on healthcare infrastructure.

  • Food insecurity is pervasive. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that nearly 18 million people are facing acute hunger, a figure that has more than doubled since the conflict began.

Blockade of Aid and Civilian Hardship

Reports indicate that access for humanitarian aid convoys has been severely restricted, a critical factor hindering relief efforts.

  • Numerous instances of aid convoys being looted or denied passage have been documented by international bodies.

  • The implications of these blockades are profound, directly affecting the delivery of life-saving supplies to besieged populations.

  • Could these access restrictions be a deliberate tactic to control populations or exert leverage in the conflict?

Healthcare System Collapse

The Sudanese healthcare system is on the verge of total collapse, with dire consequences for civilian health.

  • A significant number of healthcare facilities have been rendered inoperable due to direct attacks or a lack of essential resources.

  • The WHO has recorded over 60 attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel since the conflict began.

  • The scarcity of medicines and trained medical staff means that even treatable conditions are becoming life-threatening.

Escalating Food Insecurity

Widespread hunger is a defining characteristic of the crisis, driven by disrupted agricultural production and supply chains.

  • The WFP highlights that a large portion of the Sudanese population is struggling to access sufficient food.

  • The destruction of farmlands and the displacement of farmers have crippled the agricultural sector.

  • Looting of food stocks further exacerbates the scarcity, creating a vicious cycle of deprivation.

International Response and Diplomatic Efforts

International efforts to mediate a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian access have yielded limited success.

  • Multiple rounds of talks, often hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, have failed to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities.

  • Sanctions have been imposed by some nations on individuals and entities perceived to be prolonging the conflict, though their effectiveness remains a subject of debate.

  • Humanitarian appeals by the UN have been underfunded, highlighting a significant gap between the needs on the ground and the resources allocated.

"The humanitarian situation in Sudan is one of the worst in the world," stated Edem Wosou, OCHA's Head of Office for Sudan in a recent briefing. "Civilians are bearing the brunt of this conflict, and without sustained and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, the death toll will continue to rise."

Dr. Ghaith Al-Obeidi, a medical professional working in El Fasher, North Darfur, described the situation as "beyond dire." "We have run out of basic medicines. Mothers are dying in childbirth, and children are succumbing to preventable diseases. The scale of suffering is unimaginable."

The conflict in Sudan has precipitated a catastrophic humanitarian crisis characterized by mass displacement, a collapsed healthcare system, and rampant food insecurity. The ongoing hostilities between the SAF and RSF have created a fertile ground for immense civilian suffering, with millions of lives hanging precariously in the balance. Access to critical humanitarian aid remains severely constrained, a critical impediment to alleviating the widespread destitution. International diplomatic efforts have yet to secure a lasting peace, underscoring the complexity and severity of the situation. The immediate imperative remains ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving assistance to those in desperate need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening in Sudan?
There is a lot of fighting between two main groups. This makes it hard for people to get food, water, and medical help.
Q: How many people are affected?
Over 8 million people have left their homes. Nearly 18 million people do not have enough food.
Q: Is aid getting to people?
It is very hard for aid to reach people because of the fighting and rules.
Q: What are the main problems?
People are hungry, sick, and have no safe place to live. Hospitals are also damaged.