Sudan has crossed the grim milestone of 1,000 days of conflict, with civilians bearing the brunt of a war that the United Nations warns is rapidly deepening into one of the world’s most severe humanitarian catastrophes.
According to the UN, more than 20 million Sudanese are now in urgent need of health assistance, while at least 21 million people face acute food insecurity, driven by ongoing fighting, economic collapse and the near-total breakdown of basic services. Aid agencies say the scale of suffering continues to outpace international response efforts.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has devastated large parts of the country. Urban centres such as Khartoum, Omdurman, El Geneina and Nyala have seen repeated shelling, airstrikes and street fighting, forcing millions to flee their homes.
UN figures indicate that more than 10 million people have been displaced, making Sudan the largest internal displacement crisis globally. Over two million others have crossed borders into neighbouring countries, including Chad, South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia, straining already fragile regional systems.
“The violence has become more fragmented, more brutal and more indiscriminate,” UN officials said, warning that civilians are increasingly targeted or caught in the crossfire. Reports of mass killings, sexual violence, looting and the destruction of medical facilities have surged, particularly in Darfur, where ethnic-based attacks have revived fears of atrocities reminiscent of the early 2000s conflict.
The health system has been pushed to the brink. Hospitals have been bombed, occupied by armed groups or shut down due to lack of supplies and staff. The World Health Organization says outbreaks of cholera, measles and malaria are spreading as clean water and sanitation systems collapse.
Food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels in several regions. The UN and humanitarian partners warn that famine-like conditions are emerging in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, exacerbated by disrupted farming cycles, blocked supply routes and soaring food prices. Children are among the most affected, with aid agencies reporting alarming levels of acute malnutrition.
Despite repeated international calls for ceasefires and negotiations, diplomatic efforts have largely stalled. Multiple mediation initiatives, including those led by regional actors and international partners, have failed to produce a lasting halt to the fighting. The UN has warned that continued impunity and the flow of weapons into the country are fuelling the conflict.
As Sudan marks 1,000 days of war, humanitarian organisations are urging renewed global attention and funding. The UN’s response plan for Sudan remains severely underfunded, limiting the ability of aid agencies to reach those most in need.
“For millions of Sudanese, this war is not just a political crisis; it is a daily fight for survival,” the UN said. “Without urgent action to stop the violence and scale up humanitarian support, the suffering will only deepen.”
The milestone serves as a stark reminder that, nearly three years on, there is still no clear end in sight to a conflict that continues to devastate lives, communities and the future of Sudan.
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