Sudan Humanitarian Crisis

Overview

In April 2023, civil war erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has been characterized by extreme violence and grave human rights abuses against civilians, including ethnic cleansing campaigns, torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary killings. Both the U.S. and international bodies have determined that crimes against humanity and genocide are being committed. As of late 2025, estimates of fatalities range from 150,000 to over 400,000 people. Nearly 10 million people are internally displaced and over 4 million have become refugees, making it the world's worst displacement crisis. Famine has been declared in 12 areas of Sudan, with 20 more at imminent risk. More than half the population requires humanitarian support. The fall of El Fasher in October 2025 after a 500-day siege led to reports of mass killings visible by satellite. International relief efforts have been severely hampered by access restrictions and ongoing hostilities.