The Sudan Civil War: The World’s forgotten humanitarian crisis

The conflict in Sudan has lasted for over a year now, but few people outside of Africa know what is actually taking place. Two rival military factions are in conflict for power, and the violence has levelled entire cities. Homes, hospitals, schools and markets have been burned or bombed. Families who lived ordinary lives a week ago are now struggling to survive by fleeing from place to place.

Millions of people have been displaced. Some have fled to neighbouring countries. Even more are internally displaced in Sudan with no access to food, no access to safety, and no hope of knowing when violence will stop. It is one of the largest displacement crises in the world today that rarely makes it into the news in the global West.

The escalation of the conflict into a catastrophe

The conflict originated from fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and a strong paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces. What began as a struggle over power turned into a civil war. Both groups are located in very crowded cities. This has led to indiscriminate shelling of residential neighbourhoods with civilians.[1]

In towns across the country, people wake up each day to continual fighting. There is no power, no water, and no medical help. Mothers walk for hours in high heat while carrying their babies in an attempt to feed their children. Hospitals have been attacked and health workers have abandoned their posts. Diseases are developing because it is almost impossible to find clean water.

In many areas, food supply chains have completely broken down. Farmers cannot cultivate food. Meanwhile, food trucks are being robbed on the highways and far meadows. Aid workers are saying that Sudan is very close to what will be great famine; and that the worst part of the suffering is that the majority of the starvation is among children.

A global crisis that rarely gets attention

You might be asking yourself: if the suffering is so vast, why hasn't the media jumped in to tell the story, or influencers/tastemakers not giving awareness? The truth is that some wars get worldwide attention and others are unnoticed. The wars that make the headlines are those involving powerful nation-states or strategic regions. In contrast, when violence happens in low-capacity, poor nations or already troubled zones, the world ignores it.[2]

Sudan's crisis also isn't simple. It doesn't include one adversary or enemy. It's political power, old power tension, ethnic tension, and foreign interest. Although Sudan has lacked a liberated entity to moderate the conflict or give humanitarian assistance, for many international leaders, being involved is too complicated.

Additionally, there is enough pain and suffering reported in global news. The war in Europe or conflict in the Middle East may receive more social media coverage. Other major political stories, elections, or economic events push the news of Sudan further down the quiet pit. Millions of suffering and the horror continues unnoticed.[3]

The risks of silence

When the world overlooks a humanitarian crisis, the situation does not improve, it deteriorates further. Armed groups begin to believe that they can operate with impunity. Civilians have no protection. A lack of international attention means a lack of international assistance, less effort towards peace and a slower diplomatic response.

This silence has an additional, unhelpful aspect. Residents of Sudan feel abandoned. They feel that their lives matter less. Many survivors have expressed that the world only cares when the crisis affects developed countries. Their stories are not told. Their mourning is not seen. War destroys buildings, but it also destroys dignity, trust, and belief in the world's humanity.[4]

Human rights are under attack

The situation in Sudan has resulted in violations of human rights. Civilians are at risk. Women and girls face a high risk of sexual violence. Children are being separated from their families. Whole communities are trapped in areas controlled by armed groups that block food and aid.[5]

International organisations have warned that some acts may constitute war crimes. Reports indicate mass killings have occurred, and that ethnic-based attacks are especially commonplace in regions such as Darfur. Villages are being burned to the ground, and survivors are talking about losing their families in a single day. Human rights also involve the rights to food, water, shelter and education. These rights are also being disallowed in Sudan. Children have lost two years of schooling. The people who have been affected most by the collapse of health services are people living with disabilities or chronic health conditions.

Why We Should Care

Even when Sudan seems distant, the suffering of its people is both real and urgent. Every human life has worth. Every child deserves to be safe. Every mother deserves dignity. Wars happening anywhere are wars on our common humanity. We don't have to fix the conflict by ourselves when we pay attention.

We can demand that world leaders take it seriously. We can support humanitarian organisations. We can raise awareness. Silence enables violence to thrive. Awareness enables hope to survive. Sudan's people are not asking for miracles; they are asking not to be forgotten.[6]

Conclusion

The Sudan civil war is one of the largest and most harrowing humanitarian emergencies in the world. Cities are obliterated. Families are separated. Children are starving. Global awareness of the crisis remains appallingly low. When a crisis is ignored, injustice thrives. Human rights evaporate. People lose their voices.

Speaking about Sudan, as well as understanding and connecting with the suffering in Sudan, is important to remind the world that every life deserves attention. The war may be far-away, but our humanity is always near. The people of Sudan need to be seen, heard and helped before it is too late.