Darfur is currently experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, with an almost complete collapse of health and education infrastructure, the widespread prevalence of hunger and epidemics, and ongoing mass displacement in the absence of political solutions or adequate humanitarian interventions. There remains an urgent and pressing need for immediate and effective international action to save millions of threatened lives, halt violations, and ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
At present, displacement areas in Sudan—especially in the Darfur region—are witnessing a dangerous escalation in the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe as the autumn season begins and environmental, health, and security conditions deteriorate. The General Coordination of Camps for Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees has issued stern warnings of an “imminent humanitarian catastrophe” threatening the lives of millions amid unprecedented deterioration in living and service conditions, particularly in the Jebel Marra and Tawila areas, which have become major centers for displaced persons due to the continued influx of people fleeing conflict zones, especially from the city of El Fasher.
The spokesperson for the Coordination, Adam Regal, explained in a report covering the period since last April that indicators of hunger, malnutrition, and thirst are increasing alarmingly, posing a direct threat to children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, amid a severe shortage of shelter materials and the absence of adequate housing as the season of heavy rains arrives. He pointed out that Darfur “has been completely torn apart and is on the verge of spiraling out of control,” with daily influxes of displaced persons into the largest displacement centers amid ongoing conflict.
Displacement areas are suffering from deteriorating sanitation services, which increases the risks of the spread of diseases and epidemics, while humanitarian organizations are unable to meet the growing needs due to security restrictions and difficulty of access.
Spread of Epidemics and Collapse of the Health System
The situation has worsened with urgent warnings issued by Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) regarding the “alarming spread” of cholera in Sudanese states, with the first cases recorded in Darfur, which is suffering from high displacement density and a severe deterioration in water and sanitation services. South Darfur state has recorded the highest number of cases, with Nyala Teaching Hospital registering around 250 cases since the end of May. This has prompted the organization to open new treatment centers and support rehydration points in residential neighborhoods, in addition to its readiness to expand operations in response to the outbreak’s developments.
Médecins Sans Frontières has called on UN agencies and NGOs to take urgent action by mobilizing additional funding and providing essential medical supplies, emphasizing the importance of deploying more healthcare personnel and keeping them on the ground, especially in the most affected areas such as South Darfur. The organization confirmed that the lack of clean water and the deteriorating infrastructure in displacement camps make it difficult to control the disease, necessitating the declaration of the highest level of health alert in affected areas.
Security Collapse and Escalation of Violations
The humanitarian crisis is coinciding with a widespread security collapse. Since April, Darfur has witnessed repeated waves of violence between the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias on one side, and the Sudanese Armed Forces on the other, resulting in hundreds of deaths and forcing tens of thousands to flee, in addition to the burning of villages and the imposition of sieges on vast areas around El Fasher. Healthcare facilities have been repeatedly bombed and directly targeted, leading to the closure of some and a severe shortage of medical services amid ongoing looting and destruction.
Human rights organizations have documented grave violations of international humanitarian law by both warring parties, including mass killings, sexual violence, indiscriminate shelling of populated areas, deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, as well as the intentional obstruction of humanitarian aid and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Consequences of Displacement and Refuge
The number of internally displaced persons in Sudan has exceeded 10.8 million as of September 2024, with 8.1 million displaced since 2023 alone. Around 25 million people are facing acute food insecurity, while humanitarian funding covers only half of the needs. Millions of children are out of school, and people with disabilities face additional challenges amid a severely limited humanitarian response.
Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries, especially Chad, are enduring harsh living conditions, with food rations reduced due to funding shortages and additional violations occurring, while countries outside Africa have provided only very limited protection to Sudanese refugees.
The International Community and Limited Action
Despite repeated warnings from international organizations, decisions by the Security Council and the African Union have so far failed to produce tangible steps to deploy protection forces or ensure the safe delivery of aid to affected areas. Impunity remains widespread, with warring parties failing to investigate violations or hold those responsible accountable, despite ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court and the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission.
