Sudan Marks 1,000 Days of War, Civilians Continue to Suffer

Overview of the Crisis in Sudan

Humanitarian agencies marked Friday as the 1,000th day of war in Sudan, a poignant reminder of the profound suffering caused by the conflict. This ongoing strife has resulted in the largest hunger crisis and the most significant displacement emergency in the world. Every day, civilians "pay the price for a war they did not choose," stated the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

According to the latest UN data, 9.3 million people have been displaced by conflicts across the country, with over 4.3 million fleeing beyond its borders, exerting immense pressure on neighboring countries. Additionally, it is estimated that more than 21 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity nationwide. Although many displaced individuals have returned to the capital, Khartoum, challenges and dangers for civilians remain, including threats from unexploded ordnance.

Conditions of Combat and Impact on Children

In other areas, fighting continues "on multiple fronts in Kordofan," remarked OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. He noted that the cities of Kadugli and Dilling are isolated, restricting access to food, medical services, and markets.

In Darfur, "ground fighting and drone attacks persist," with reports of long-range assaults on civilian infrastructure beyond the front lines. Children continue to be killed and injured in confrontations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, with eight children reported dead in an attack in Al Obeid, North Kordofan, this week.

According to UNICEF, a staggering 5,000 children have been displaced every day since the conflict began. "Many have been displaced not just once, but multiple times, with violence following them wherever they flee," said UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires.

Issues Related to Sexual Violence

Women are also victims of “rampant” sexual violence, with approximately 12 million people—primarily women and girls—exposed to the risk of gender-based violence. OCHA emphasized that female-headed households are now three times more likely to be food insecure, with three-quarters of these households reporting insufficient food supplies.

The global humanitarian funding crisis has affected the operations of the UN and its partners in Sudan, with only 36% of the $4.2 billion requested last year actually donated. In light of this reduced financial support, OCHA aims to assist 20 million out of nearly 34 million individuals considered in need of humanitarian support in Sudan, with an estimated budget of $2.9 billion.

“Today, our call is urgent: first, an immediate cessation of hostilities and real measures towards lasting peace,” stated Laerke. “Secondly, respect for international humanitarian law with facilitated access along conflict lines and the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers and civilian infrastructure.”