Sudan Conflict is Crisis of Humanity, Says UN Mission
The United Nations Mission in Sudan has declared the ongoing civil war a “crisis of humanity,” citing catastrophic levels of violence, hunger, and displacement, as aid workers and civilians bear the brunt of the conflict between rival military factions.
UN experts have raised the alarm over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, warning that the country is on the brink of famine and disease epidemics.
Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, called on the global community to authorize armed peacekeepers to escort aid convoys in Sudan, stressing that the international system is failing.
“This is no longer a humanitarian crisis it is a crisis of humanity,” Fakhri said. “If armed actors can attack humanitarian convoys with impunity, we are facing a dystopian future where aid is no longer safe, and millions will die in silence.”
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has killed over 24,000 people and displaced more than 13 million including 4 million refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.
The UN World Food Programme has identified Sudan as one of the world’s top hunger hotspots, warning of imminent famine in parts of Darfur and Khartoum due to access restrictions and targeted attacks on aid convoys.
In early June, a UN humanitarian convoy was attacked in North Darfur, killing five aid workers and sparking global outrage.
Aid agencies have suspended several operations due to repeated strikes, including suspected drone attacks.
“This war is being fought not only with weapons, but with starvation and terror. The world must not look away,” the UN Mission said in a separate statement.
Calls for an immediate ceasefire and international intervention have grown louder as civilians, especially women and children, continue to suffer.
Despite repeated peace talks and regional mediation efforts, both factions have failed to reach a lasting truce.
The UN has urged member states to act swiftly and decisively to prevent Sudan from descending into irreversible collapse.
