Tens of thousands of people in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, live under the constant terror of bloody military clashes. These clashes have led to a severe shortage of basic goods after most markets in the capital were shut down and subjected to widespread looting following the outbreak of war. In addition, health, electricity, and drinking water services have deteriorated to horrifying levels.
Since April 15th of last year, Sudan has been caught in turmoil due to a fierce war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The fighting continues, with all negotiating efforts so far failing to resolve the crisis.
Food Crisis
In Khartoum, the food crisis has reached its peak, particularly in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces. These regions have not received any humanitarian aid since the war began due to the intensification of fighting.
The World Food Program estimates that 25 million Sudanese—half the population—are in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance, with the hardest-hit areas being Darfur, Khartoum, and Al-Jazira.
The situation is bleak across all sectors. According to the United Nations, 20.3 million people in Sudan face extreme hunger, over 70% of hospitals in conflict zones are out of service, and 19 million children are out of school.
Absence of Basic Services
Since the outbreak of the Sudanese war in April last year, telecommunication, internet, gas, and electricity services have been disrupted in large parts of Khartoum. After more than a year and a half, the suffering of those who chose to stay behind continues. Thousands of residents are forced to drink directly from the Nile and use wood to cook their food instead of natural gas.
Humanitarian efforts remain drastically underfunded. The 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires $2.7 billion to carry out essential operations, but experts say only 3.1% of these needs are currently funded.
Al-Rih Jabbara, a resident of Khartoum Bahri, describes the harsh conditions in the Al-Hamdab area: “Electricity and water have been cut off for months, forcing us to buy water at high prices.”
He added, “The situation is very difficult. People can’t find food, and the sick can’t get the medicine they need. The situation here is unbearable.”
Daily Abuses
Residents in areas controlled by the RSF struggle to access even the most basic necessities, especially as military forces commit daily violations against civilians. These abuses include theft, murder, and intimidation, leading to the closure of most major markets.
The RSF continues to commit grave human rights abuses in their controlled territories, including murder, rape, theft, and looting at gunpoint. Arbitrary arrests and killings further worsen the conditions for the civilian population.
Iklas Ibrahim, a 19-year-old student from northern Khartoum, was forced to flee her home with her family, moving from RSF-controlled areas to army-held territory in Khartoum Bahri after witnessing these abuses.
“My brother was a victim of these abuses,” she explained. “He was beaten to death by RSF members who accused him of working for the army. After much effort and money, we were finally able to send him outside of Khartoum for medical treatment.”
Deteriorating Health Sector
Two-thirds of Sudan’s civilians no longer have access to basic health services. Since the outbreak of the conflict, hospitals and health centers have been forced to shut down, with doctors and nurses either killed or injured in the fighting. Many medical facilities have also been damaged by bombings and airstrikes, according to the Red Cross mission in Sudan.
Doctors stress that health centers play a critical role in preventing, detecting, and treating malnutrition, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five.
Dr. Fatima Haroun Al-Tayeb, head of the health emergency committees in Khartoum Bahri, notes that most of the cases arriving at hospitals are due to mothers’ hunger and lack of access to sufficient food, which leaves them unable to breastfeed their children.
She continued, explaining that what children and mothers receive from charitable kitchens in Khartoum is insufficient. As a result, they arrive at the hospital in a severely emaciated state.
Continuous Displacement
Experts say that the conflict in Sudan has triggered one of the largest displacement crises the world has ever seen. United Nations estimates suggest that around 11 million Sudanese have been displaced, including 9 million internally displaced people.
Due to the expansion of fighting and the widespread disruption of communication and internet services in large parts of the country, it is challenging for the UN and local authorities to provide accurate figures on the number of displaced people and refugees fleeing their homes.