The UN and the crisis in Sudan (Jan-Jun 2026)

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

16 February

13 February

  • RSF violations in capture of El Fasher amount to war crimes (OHCHR)
  • Sudan Statement (WFP)

12 February

  • 1,000 days : As the war approaches the 3-year mark, Sudan’s people can’t wait to rebuild their lives (UNDP)
  • Building hope through water in North Darfur (OCHA)

11 February

  • Quintet Joint Statement on de-escalation of the conflict in Sudan (IGAD)

10 February

  • In Sudan, sick and starving children ‘wasting away’ (UN News)
  • GENEVA / SUDAN HUMANITARIAN UPDATE (UNifeed)

9 February

  • High Commissioner Türk calls on states to do more to end senseless war in Sudan (OHCHR)
  • UN rights chief says worse is to come without international action (UN News)
  • OHCHR / HRC TURK SUDAN (UNifeed)

6 February

  • Statement by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Denise Brown – Attack on aid trucks transporting food in North Kordofan (UN RC/HC Sudan)
  • UNFPA / SUDAN DISPLACEMENT KADUGLI GEDAREF (UNifeed)

5 February

Child malnutrition hits catastrophic levels in parts of Sudan

Two women and a child in Sudan doing a medical checkup
© UNICEF/Ahmed Mohamdeen Elfatih – Latest IPC projections indicate a catastrophic rise in severe food insecurity in many parts of Sudan.

Acute malnutrition among children has reached catastrophic levels in parts of Sudan’s North Darfur and Greater Kordofan, UN-backed analysts warned on Thursday, as conflict, mass displacement and denials of aid push the country deeper into a famine-risk emergency. (UN News)

  • What is Happening in Sudan? 10 Things You Should Know (IOM)
  • Famine threshold for acute malnutrition surpassed in two more North Darfur localities, crisis worsening in Greater Kordofan (IPC)
  • CAR / SUDAN BORDER FOOD AID (UNifeed)

4 February

3 February

  • UN Relief Chief calls for truce, protection as Sudan’s suffering deepens (OCHA)
  • In Washington, Fletcher presses for action as Sudan war grinds on (UN News)

30 January

  • UNICEF / SUDAN DARFUR CHILDREN (UNifeed)
  • Darfur’s children living on a thin line between abandonment and hope (UNICEF)

20 January

  • Sudan war leaves children mute as risk of new atrocities looms (UN News)
  • Sudan: Warn about intensification in Kordofan (OHCHR)

19 January

18 January

  • Visiting Türk salutes Sudanese people’s struggle for peace, calls for accountability for atrocity crimes, violations and abuses (OHCHR)
  • Human Rights Chief addresses the press in Port Sudan (OHCHR)

17 January

  • SUDAN / TÜRK IDP CAMP VISIT (UNifeed)

16 January

  • UNHCR / CHAD REFUGEES SALIH VISIT (UNifeed)
  • In Chad, UNHCR’s Salih calls for urgent refugee support to save and rebuild lives (UNHCR)

15 January

  • Families in Sudan pushed to the brink amidst brutal conflict and famine as WFP resources dry up (WFP)

9 January

  • One-Third of Sudan Displaced in 1,000 Days of Conflict, IOM Urges Urgent and Sustained Action (IOM)
  • “It was tragic”: Women and health workers in Sudan describe fleeing El Fasher (UNFPA)

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 2025)

30 June Funding shortages threaten relief for millions of Sudanese refugees: WFP Critical shortfalls in global humanitarian funding now...

More country pages

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

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS 18 September More help urgently needed as thousands arrive in Djibouti fleeing Yemen (UNHCR) 17 September UK...

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

Italy and the United Nations: What you need to know

At the end of the Second World War, Italy was not among the founding members of the...

When overreliance on external consultants becomes a problem: UNESCO supports six European governments to solve a growing challenge

Governments worldwide increasingly use external consultants to devise and deliver on growing range of public functions, from...

New IOM Data: Migrant Arrivals to Europe Fall 39% in 2026 While Deaths Continue to Rise

GENEVA, 17 September 2026 – Arrivals to Europe have fallen sharply this year but deaths along the...