UN Chief Marks 2nd Anniv. of Sudan Conflict with Dire Warning on Humanitarian Crisis

As Sudan marks two years since the outbreak of a brutal internal conflict, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stark warning about the staggering scale of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the country, calling for urgent action to end the violence and protect civilians.

"Two years into a devastating war, Sudan remains in a crisis of staggering proportions, with civilians paying the highest price," the Secretary-General said in a statement released on the conflict’s anniversary.

The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes are killing and injuring civilians on a daily basis, with attacks targeting marketplaces, hospitals, schools, places of worship, and displacement camps. The UN chief condemned the rampant sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, calling the reported abuses “horrific.”

According to UN data, nearly 12 million people have fled their homes since the conflict erupted, making Sudan the site of the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 3.8 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Over 30 million people across the country are now in need of humanitarian assistance, while an estimated 25 million face acute hunger. Famine has already been identified in at least five areas and is projected to spread.

The war has also taken a heavy toll on aid workers, with at least 90 humanitarian personnel killed since the conflict began. The Secretary-General emphasized that insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles, and severe funding shortfalls have restricted access to the areas most in need.

“Basic services have been decimated,” Guterres stated, highlighting that millions of children are out of school and less than 25 percent of health facilities are functioning in the worst-affected regions. Widespread attacks on infrastructure have left large swathes of the population without electricity or clean water.

While UN agencies and their partners were able to reach over 15.6 million people with some form of aid last year, the Secretary-General warned that the response continues to fall short of the overwhelming needs.

He called on all warring parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, referencing commitments made in the May 2023 Jeddah Declaration to protect civilians. “Such commitments must be translated into concrete action,” he urged, adding that impartial investigations into violations are essential.

In his strongest remarks yet, Guterres condemned the continued flow of weapons and foreign fighters into Sudan. “The external support and flow of weapons must end,” he said, urging countries with influence over the parties to use it to promote peace, not prolong the suffering.

The Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for a “comprehensive, revitalized, and well-coordinated political effort” to prevent further fragmentation of Sudan. He reaffirmed that Sudan remains a top priority for the UN, pledging to continue working with regional leaders to strengthen peace efforts.

This includes support for the efforts of his Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, who is tasked with coordinating international mediation and fostering dialogue between the parties to support a peaceful transition and empower civilians.

“We must renew our focus on finding an end to this brutal war,” Guterres concluded. “The world must not forget the people of Sudan.”