Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
Over 30 million people in Sudan – 66% of the population – are currently in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 12 million people have been forcibly displaced since Sudan’s civil war broke out in April 2023 between the country’s army and a powerful paramilitary group. Almost 4 million children under the age of 5 are affected by severe and acute malnutrition. Women and girls in particular are exposed to sexual and gender-based violence.
The Worst Humanitarian Crisis
"In my experience, it is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world," says Samy Guessabi, country director of the non-governmental organization Action Against Hunger in Sudan. He took part in the “Khartoum Calling” event to raise awareness of the Sudan conflict and its humanitarian impact. Media manager Niddal Salah-Eldin, who was born in Khartoum, also emphasized that the future of an entire young generation was endangered by the war. “More than 15 million children in Sudan do not go to school,” she stated.
A Vibrant City Destroyed by War
There are just as many personal stories behind the numbers. The award-winning documentary "Khartoum" profiles five residents of the country’s capital: two young bottle collectors, a tea seller, an official and a volunteer from the Resistance Committees, the pro-democracy grassroots movement that helped topple former dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Production on the film began in 2022, but then the war broke out. On April 15, 2023, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked Sudanese Armed Forces bases across Sudan, including in Khartoum and the airport.
The Conflict in Sudan
As the Sudanese-British journalist Yousra Elbagir emphasized, the conflict in Sudan must be understood as a counter-revolutionary war. Before al-Bashir was overthrown by the army in April 2019, Sudanese citizens protested in the streets for months, demanding the resignation of the ruler who had been in power for 30 years. In a subsequent power struggle, the two warring factions tried to assert their influence. Despite their different tactics and motivations, the Sudanese army and the RSF share a common interest in suppressing pro-democracy movements that challenge their authority.
An Actively Ignored War
With the wars in Ukraine and Gaza attracting so much global attention, the unprecedented crisis in Sudan has often been referred to as “the forgotten war.” For Niddal Salah-Eldin, the Sudan war is not simply forgotten, but “actively ignored.” Meanwhile, Sudan’s large gold reserves and other valuable natural resources suggest that various powers are benefiting from the current instability. The war in Sudan is “a war against the Sudanese people,” she added, noting that hunger is being used as a weapon of war.
Call to Action
The day after the demonstration, Sudanese experts met with German politicians in the Bundestag for a panel discussion about concrete options for action. In its appeal to the Bundestag, the non-governmental organization “Action Against Hunger” called on parliamentarians to provide sufficient funds for humanitarian aid and to directly support local aid networks. Filmmaker Brahim Snoopy said all people can help convince policymakers to take immediate action in Sudan, whether through social media or by discussing the crisis with friends. “Even the mere mention of the word Sudan in your daily conversations is important because it starts the entire campaign with small steps.”
