Three years after fighting erupted between Sudan’s Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, Sudan has entered what aid organisations consistently describe as the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe, with more than 12 million people displaced and famine conditions spreading across multiple regions.
The conflict has created a displacement crisis with no modern parallel. According to data from the United Nations, over 12 million Sudanese have been uprooted since the war began — a figure that surpasses the total displaced populations of Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan combined. Of these, more than two million have crossed into neighbouring countries, primarily Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Children bearing the heaviest toll
Among the most alarming consequences of the conflict is its impact on Sudan’s children. UNICEF reported that at least 245 children were killed or wounded in the first 90 days of 2026 alone. The organisation warned that millions of children are now facing acute malnutrition, with disease outbreaks including cholera, measles, and malaria compounding the effects of hunger.
The conflict has also severely disrupted education. An estimated 19 million children in Sudan are out of school, with hundreds of schools occupied by armed groups or converted into shelters for displaced families.
Famine conditions and food insecurity
Multiple regions of Sudan, particularly in Darfur, South Kordofan, and the Greater Khartoum area, have been formally classified as experiencing famine conditions by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership.
The United Nations World Food Programme has warned that without urgent intervention, the famine could spread to additional areas, potentially affecting millions more.
Regional implications
The war in Sudan has not remained contained within its borders. Chad has seen regular spillover violence, including cross-border attacks by armed groups. South Sudan is hosting hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees. Egypt has emerged as a major destination for refugees, with estimates suggesting that over 500,000 Sudanese have crossed into Egypt since the war began.
Despite repeated calls from the United Nations and humanitarian organisations, the international response to Sudan’s crisis has been insufficient. Donor funding has fallen well below what is needed, and political efforts to broker a ceasefire have repeatedly failed.
As Sudan enters its fourth year of war, aid workers and diplomats warn that the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate without a political resolution.