Urgent Appeal for Action: UN Calls for Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Support in Sudan’s Crisis

Relentless hostilities have plunged millions into misery, leading to the world's fastest-growing displacement crisis.

As the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Sudan enters its 18th month, the United Nations and Member States are calling for immediate action to protect civilians, enhance humanitarian funding and access, and bring an end to the ongoing violence.

Relentless hostilities have plunged millions into misery, leading to the world's fastest-growing displacement crisis. Since April 2023, over 10 million people have fled their homes—half of them children—while more than 2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Sudan has now become the epicenter of a hunger crisis, with nearly 26 million people, over half the population, facing severe acute hunger. Famine has been confirmed in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp, and nearly 5 million children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished.

Basic health services have been devastated, and diseases like cholera are on the rise, while children remain out of school for a second consecutive year. The situation represents one of the worst protection crises in recent history, with alarming levels of sexual and gender-based violence affecting particularly women and girls.

Humanitarian efforts are more urgent than ever, but they face significant obstacles including underfunding, insecurity, and restricted access. Neighboring countries, already overwhelmed by pre-existing large displaced populations, continue to welcome Sudanese refugees, yet require additional support to provide essential protection and lifesaving assistance.

Today, a ministerial meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York, co-hosted by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNHCR, alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United States, the African Union, and the European Union, will highlight the devastating human toll of inaction.

The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan seeks $2.7 billion to assist 14.7 million people, yet is currently only 49% funded. Similarly, this year’s Regional Refugee Response Plan requires $1.5 billion to support 3.3 million refugees, returnees, and host communities in seven neighboring countries but is only 25% funded.

Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stated, “People in Sudan have endured 17 months of hell, and the suffering continues to grow. Decisive international action is urgent. We need humanitarian access for everyone in need, increased funding, strong commitments to protect civilians, and real steps to end this destructive war.”

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized, “This brutal war has uprooted millions, forcing them to abandon their homes in search of safety. Countries neighbouring Sudan cannot shoulder this responsibility alone; humanitarian aid and support for rebuilding lives are urgently needed. Peace efforts are critical for people to return home, and the stability of the entire region is at stake.”

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.H. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, noted the kingdom's support for the Sudanese people, including establishing a humanitarian hub for aid distribution.

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Badr Abdelatty, reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to ending the conflict and ensuring humanitarian assistance.

The U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Ms Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described the situation in Sudan as the worst humanitarian crisis globally, urging the international community to increase efforts to halt the violence and address the looming famine.

The African Union's Commissioner for Health and Humanitarian Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Cessouma Minata Samate, announced a commitment of $11 million in 2024 to support peace and stability in Africa, which will aid humanitarian efforts for Sudan and its neighbouring countries.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, H.E. Mr Janez Lenarčič, labelled the situation in Sudan a humanitarian disaster, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law while requesting additional funding to address the crisis.

The urgency of the situation in Sudan cannot be overstated; collective action is needed now to prevent further suffering and displacement.