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

12.5 million
forcibly displaced since 15 April 2023
50,000+
reportedly killed
30.4 million
people in need of assistance

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.

Latest developments

5 May

  • Sudan drone attacks raise fears for civilian safety and aid efforts (UN News)

1 May

  • Horrors in Sudan know no bounds, warns Türk, urging an end to the conflict (OHCHR)
  • Civilians trapped, children at risk, amid escalating violence in Darfur (UNICEF)
  • Sudan: UN rights chief appeals for greater protection of civilians in besieged El Fasher (UN News)

30 April

  • Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Sudan (OSSG)
  • UN alert over deepening crisis in Sudan as famine spreads and violence escalates (UN News)

28 April

  • Food, education and farming: CAR welcomes in Sudanese refugees (WFP)

25 April

  • Sudan: Türk gravely concerned at rising civilian deaths and widespread sexual violence in North Darfur (OHCHR)
  • Operational updates on food assistance to famine-risk populations in Sudan (WFP)
  • Sudan situation ‘absolutely devastating’ as UN ramps up food aid (UN News)

20 April

  • Forced displacement in North Darfur overwhelms aid operations and increases civilian vulnerability – Sudan (RC/HC)

16 April

  • After two years of deadly conflict, the Government of the Sudan renews its commitment to prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence (SRSG SVC)

Humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in El Fasher, Sudan 

© Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital Al Fasher hospital in Darfur lies partially destroyed following artillery strikes in October.
© Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital Al Fasher hospital in Darfur lies partially destroyed following artillery strikes in October.

Escalating violence and deteriorating humanitarian conditions in and around El Fasher in Sudan continue to be of grave concern, the United Nations said on Wednesday. (UN News)

15 April

  • Two years since the start of the conflict, Sudan is facing a severe food security catastrophe (FAO)
  • Urgent Global Action Needed to Prevent Greater Regional Instability as Sudan War Enters Third Year (IOM)
  • Marking two years of Sudan war: A call for peace, protection and humanity (RC/HC)
  • Sudan: A two-year crisis through the lens of a photojournalist (OCHA)
  • Number of children in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan doubles as conflict enters third year amid ‘perfect storm’ of threats to children (UNICEF)
  • External flow of weapons into Sudan must end, insists UN’s Guterres (UN News)
  • Secretary-General’s statement on the second anniversary of the Sudanese conflict (OSSG)

14 April

  • No hospitals, no hope (UNFPA)
  • Displaced, starved, killed, robbed of a childhood: children in Sudan are paying the highest price of two years of brutal conflict (SRSG VAC)
  • Sudanese mark grim war milestone amid surging hunger, hopes for peace (WFP)
  • Sudan faces worsening humanitarian catastrophe as famine and conflict escalate: UN experts (OHCHR)
  • Hundreds killed in RSF attacks in Sudan’s North Darfur (OHCHR)
  • Sudan: UN Fact-Finding Mission deplores Darfur killings as conflict enters third year, warning “darkest chapters” may lie ahead (Sudan FFM)
  • Sudan: 15 million children require humanitarian assistance after two years of war (UN News)
  • Sudan war: ‘Darkest chapters’ ahead as Darfur massacre claims over 100 lives (UN News)
  • How is the Sudanese civil war destabilising neighbouring countries? (UN News)

13 April

  • Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Sudan (OSSG)
  • Sudan war: Crisis point for children trapped in conflict zones (UN News)

12 April

  • Attacks on Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps and Al Fasher must end now (RC/HC)

11 April

  • Sudan: Türk decries catastrophic cost of inaction as conflict approaches third year (OHCHR)
  • Two years of war in Sudan: a devastating combination of record displacement and dwindling aid (UNHCR)
  • WFP calls for urgent access to preposition food in Sudan as rainy season risks cutting off roads to starving (WFP)
  • Sudan: 30 million in need of assistance as war rages on (UN News)
  • Sudan war has created suffering of ‘industrial proportions’, aid agencies warn (UN News)

10 April

  • Two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis for 6 million displaced women and girls (UN Women)
  • Sudan faces unprecedented hunger and displacement as war enters third year (UN News)
  • World Court begins hearing Sudan’s case accusing United Arab Emirates of ‘complicity in genocide’ (UN News)

9 April

  • For lasting peace in Sudan, women must lead peace efforts (UN Women)
  • IDPs in North Darfur: supporting a Ramadan harvest (OCHA)
  • IDPs in Kassala: protecting displaced people from cholera (OCHA)
  • IDPs in Central Darfur: clean water nearby (OCHA)
  • IDPs in Blue Nile: emergency water and hygiene for families (OCHA)

Related posts

Sudan: one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises

The crisis in Sudan is multifaceted, encompassing armed conflict, mass displacement, healthcare challenges, food insecurity, and an education crisis.

Secretary-General appoints Finland´s Haavisto as envoy for Sudan

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Pekka Haavisto of Finland as his new...

The UN and the crisis in Sudan (Jul-Dec 2025)

18 December UN report details horrific patterns of violations committed during RSF takeover of ZamZam IDP camp...

The UN and the crisis in Sudan (Jan-Jun 2024)

28 June "I came here from Sudan where almost the entire population of school-aged children – some 17...

More country pages

The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS 26 May Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns...

The UN and the war in Ukraine: key information

News on Ukraine in your language French Portuguese German   Quick Navigation: Main facts | Humanitarian Appeal | Protection of civilians ...

UNRIC News

Shaping a Nature-Positive Future: The UN at EU Green Week 2026

From 3 to 4 June, the United Nations in Brussels (UN) is participating in the EU Green...

UNV: What Keeps a Peace Mission Running? The Work You Never See

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), peace work doesn’t always look like what you see...

Belgian expertise at the heart of a global wake-up call on climate and health

Three Belgians helped shape a landmark report calling on WHO and governments to treat climate change as...