The Cost of Inaction: Urgent and Collective Support…

Nearly eighteen months on from the outbreak of the conflict, Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of devastating proportions. Half of the population is now in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 10 million people have been displaced from their homes, either within the country or into neighboring countries. An unprecedented hunger crisis has taken hold, with nearly 26 million people acutely food insecure and famine conditions confirmed in northern Darfur.

The conflict has caused immense harm to civilians, with concerns about women and girls and widespread reports of conflict-related sexual violence, alongside broader violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. Essential services have been severely disrupted, as have the livelihoods of millions of people.

Local and international humanitarian organizations are trying to scale up life-saving activities in an exceptionally challenging operating environment, with a wide range of access impediments, including from severe flooding.

Funding shortfalls also continue to undermine response efforts, inside Sudan and in neighboring countries. So far, just over 41 per cent of the US$2.7 billion requested in 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan has been mobilized. Coverage of the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan is even lower, with 22 per cent of the requested amounts currently available.

This important ministerial event will be an opportunity to take stock of the challenges and collectively identify ways forward.