A humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels in Sudan, where famine has been declared in Zamzam, a camp sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the North Darfur region. This comes after 15 months of relentless war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 11 million people. Aid agencies warn that nearly 26 million Sudanese now face acute hunger, a sharp increase since the conflict began in April last year.
Zamzam camp, home to half a million displaced individuals, has been cut off from aid due to ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“We are suffering from lack of food, water, and everything else,” said one resident. “We need water, food, healthcare, and for God to lift this curse from Sudan.”
The United Nations World Food Program reports that nearly half the country’s population, about 25 million people, urgently needs humanitarian assistance. The infrastructure is severely damaged, making it difficult to deliver aid, with air transport being the only viable, albeit inefficient, option.
The crisis in Sudan has roots tracing back to 2019 when nationwide protests toppled long-time president Omar al-Bashir. A transitional government was formed to guide Sudan to democratic elections, but tensions between the military and civilian leadership soon led to conflict. Fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The country is now divided, with the RSF controlling much of the west and the army holding the east.
Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war, with Human Rights Watch reporting frequent rapes committed by fighters on both sides, often in front of victims’ families.
The international community’s response has been criticized for its lack of urgency. Despite the staggering numbers—25 million people in need of urgent humanitarian aid and 8.5 million facing extreme food shortages—there has been little action. Deeply embedded racism and competing global crises have diverted attention from Sudan, exacerbating the situation.
In a surprising turn of events, General al-Burhan has accepted an invitation to attend U.S.-sponsored peace talks in Geneva, marking the first significant effort in months to bring the army and the RSF to the negotiating table. However, it remains uncertain if high-level representatives from both sides will attend. The talks are seen as a potential opportunity to address the humanitarian crisis and bring much-needed aid to those affected.
Amidst the bleak situation, local Sudanese organizations and resistance committees continue to support their communities, providing essential services and aid. These grassroots efforts offer a glimmer of hope in an otherwise dire context.
The situation in Sudan remains dire, with millions at risk of famine and continued violence. The international community’s response and the outcomes of the upcoming peace talks will be crucial in determining the future for Sudan’s civilians caught in this devastating conflict.