The UN and the crisis in Sudan (Jan-Jun 2025)

8.9 million
people internally displaced (UNHCR, May 2026)
150,000+
reportedly killed
33.7 million
people in need of assistance (OCHA, May 2026)

What is the crisis about?

On 15 April 15, 2023, the fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The armed conflict is affecting millions of lives in Sudan and causing mass displacement, food insecurity and education challenges that require immediate humanitarian help.

Right now, Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe with over 25 million people in desperate need of assistance.

More information on the background to the conflict.

Recent Statements and News

10 June

  • WFP expands footprint in Khartoum as families start to return to devastated capital (WFP)

9 June

  • Empowered with ILO’s training, women farmers in Sudan expand cooperative and market opportunities (ILO)
  • Ngok Dinka and Misseriya Women Establish Joint Women’s Committee – Sudan (UNISFA)

4 June

  • Sudan: Drone strikes must be investigated (OHCHR)
  • IOM Spokesperson on Deadly Attack Against Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan (IOM)

3 June

  • WFP/UNICEF humanitarian aid convoy carrying life-saving supplies attacked in Sudan’s North Darfur – Joint Statement (UNICEF / WFP)
  • Sudan convoy attack: A call to protect aid workers – Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, Kristine Hambrouck (OCHA / UN RC/HC Sudan)
  • Beyond the Headlines: Sudan’s Women Journalists Speak Out amid Conflict and Silence (UN Women)
  • Note to Correspondents: on attack on a convoy in Sudan (OSSG)

1 June

  • Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Sudan must stop – Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in Sudan, Kristine Hambrouck (OCHA)

29 May

  • Sudan war exacerbates risk of cholera and malaria: UNICEF (UN News)

28 May

  • Over 1 million children at risk as cholera spreads in Sudan’s Khartoum State (UNICEF)
  • Award-winning gender advocate lauds importance of ‘gender-responsive peacekeeping missions’ (UN News)

27 May

  • Sudan conflict triggers regional health crisis, warns WHO (UN News)

21 May

Key facts and figures for the Sudan crisis (21 May 2025 - OCHA)

20 May

  • Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Sudan (OSSG)

19 May

  • Sudan: UN expert calls for end to attacks on critical civilian infrastructure amidst intensifying drone strikes (Designated Expert)
  • Note to Correspondents: Joint communiqué by African Union Commission, League of Arab States and United Nations High-Level Consultation on the margins of the Arab League Summit (OSSG)

16 May

Another year, another rise in food insecurity – including famine
© WFP/Lena von Zabern Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have sought refuge in Chad due to the ongoing conflict and resulting food shortages.
© WFP/Lena von Zabern Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have sought refuge in Chad due to the ongoing conflict and resulting food shortages.

In July 2024, famine was detected in the Sudan’s Zamzam IDP camp. In the following months, the official alert expanded to other camps in Darfur and Western Nuba Mountains. From December until now, famine has been confirmed in five other areas of the war-torn country. A further 17 areas are at risk. (UN News)

14 May

  • UNICEF to support provision of safe water for 5 over million people in Sudan (UNICEF)
  • Sudan: Experts denounce systematic attacks on women and girls (Special Rapporteurs)

8 May

  • UN experts demand international action as human rights violations escalate in Sudan’s displacement camps (OHCHR)
  • Port Sudan: No let-up in drone attacks as UN chief urges peace (UN News)

7 May

  • Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Sudan (OSSG)
  • Port Sudan: Aid officials call for greater protection as drone attacks continue (UN News)
  • Adapting health care to a displacement crisis – Sudan (OCHA)

6 May

  • Exhausted Sudanese flee into Chad as fighting escalates (UN News)
  • Port Sudan drone attacks: A call to protect civilian infrastructure – Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami (OCHA | UN RC/HC Sudan)

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