Sudan’s Silent Suffering: The Crisis the World is Overlooking
Millions displaced and starving as conflict deepens across Sudan.
愛喝奶茶, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Since April 2023, Sudan has been trapped in a violent battle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. What started out as a fight for power quickly emerged into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Unfortunately, many people still don’t know what is happening.
According to National Public Radio (NPR), more than 10 million people have been forced to flee their homes. This makes Sudan “the largest displacement crisis in the world.” Entire cities have been destroyed, and many families are living in run-down shelters with no access to food, drinkable water, or even medicine.
ElijahPepe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
.svg){kind=link}
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reports that “over 25 million people—more than half of Sudan’s population—need humanitarian assistance.” Out of this staggering number, 14 million of those in need are children.
The committee warns that hunger and disease are spreading quickly, especially in areas cut off from aid deliveries.
“Sudan has become an invisible emergency, one of the worst crises of our time that few are watching,” said David Miliband, president of the IRC, in a statement from the organization’s website.
The situation has gotten worse as the war continues in key cities like Khartoum and across the region of Darfur. Many hospitals have been shutting down, and healthcare workers are now having to face dangerous conditions as they try to help those in need. The NPR described the crisis as “a race against time” to prevent famine and save lives.
While international groups are providing help and support, Sudan’s crisis often goes unnoticed and even unreported, as most news coverage companies fail to recognize this crisis. This silence makes it even harder for these organizations to get the support they need.
For students, small actions can make a difference. Sharing and reposting verified news stories, supporting humanitarian groups, and even learning more about Sudan helps keep attention on the millions who don't have a voice for themselves.
As Miliband put it, “We must not let Sudan’s people become invisible.”