United Nations in Sudan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Sudan:

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22 October 2025

Dengue response

WHO in Sudan is supporting the Health Ministry’s dengue response, with volunteers mobilized in Khartoum for key activities.

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Publication

04 June 2025

UN Sudan Annual Results Report 2024

2024 marked yet another challenging year for Sudan.After nearly two years of ongoing conflict, Sudan has become the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 12 million people have been displaced within the country and across its borders. Famine was confirmed by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in 10 locations, with an additional 17 areas teetering on the brink of famine.In April 2024, the UN and its partners launched a Famine Prevention Plan to scale up lifesaving assistance, including cash assistanceand community-based interventions, while advocating for broader humanitarian access. With $1.8 billion received in support last year, humanitarian organizations reached more than 15.6 million people across Sudan. Assistance included food and livelihoods support for more than 13 million people; water, sanitation and hygiene support; health, nutrition and shelter assistance.Notable progress was achieved through UN programmes and activities that implemented a mix of humanitarian and resilience interventions, including the successful delivery of aid across conflict lines to south Khartoum, marking the first such access since the conflict begun. The first batch of humanitarian assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) arrived in South Darfur. Access to improved basic water service reached 9.8 million people, 9.2 million received cholera vaccinations, and a malaria vaccine was introduced. Nearly 55,500 at-risk youth received vocational training. In addition, 300,000 square meters of land were cleared of mines, 19 human rights forums were held, seven human rights monitoring missions were conducted, and the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking resumed activities.However, humanitarian and development needs continue to grow, while insecurity and looting of partners’ assets and supplies have severely hampered response efforts. Targeted attacks, including airstrikes and assaults on aid convoys, further disrupted operations and tragically resulted in the deaths of United Nations employees in 2024.I would like to thank our partners and the dedicated UN staff in Sudan and beyond for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices in the face of such a challenging environment. The UN remains committed to sustaining and expanding our lifesaving efforts, while working to create conditions for recovery, strengthen resilience, and support a return to political negotiations, ultimately striving to alleviate human suffering and bring peace to millions of Sudanese.Clementine Nkweta-SalamiResident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan

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Publication

12 November 2024

The Socio-Economic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households

New Study: Short-term humanitarian aid alone insufficient to address severe deterioration in employment, income, access to essential services and food security.Economic revival, social protection, and infrastructure rehabilitation are critical for urban recovery in Sudan.Nairobi, 12 November 2024 – Eighteen months of war have deeply affected urban households in Sudan: 31 percent have been displaced, full-time employment has plummeted by half, over 70 percent of the urban households in Sudan had all or some of school-aged kids stop attending school, and only one out of seven urban households can access full health services—concluded a new joint study from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), launched today."The Socioeconomic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households" study provides a comprehensive assessment of how the ongoing conflict affects urban households in Sudan. With two-thirds of the fighting concentrated in cities of over 100,000 people, understanding impacts of the war on urban livelihoods is crucial for addressing both immediate economic challenges and long-term development obstacles. The study is based on analyses of a comprehensive survey of urban households across the country that both organizations conducted between May 2024 and July 2024, including 3,000 households."The ongoing conflict is intensifying already critical challenges, including widespread food insecurity," said Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow and Program Leader for the Sudan Strategy Support Program at IFPRI. "In 2022, before the conflict began, only half of the population reported being food secure. Since then, the proportion of food-secure urban households has plunged from approximately 54 percent to just 20 percent.”The study observes that while the share of the population receiving assistance has increased overall during the conflict, a substantial 76 percent of the population reported receiving no assistance at all. Most reported relying on personal networks of family members and friends, rather than government institutions, international humanitarian agencies or domestic civil society organizations.“This study reveals significantly deepening vulnerabilities that Sudanese urban households are facing today on many fronts. No single intervention can adequately address this unfolding and multifaceted development crisis” stressed Luca Renda, UNDP Resident Representative in Sudan. “Expanding immediate short-term humanitarian relief is critical to help people survive and cope, but it will not be sufficient. It must be coupled with longer-term, development focused interventions that can help foster resilience and enable recovery.”The study emphasizes that addressing the challenges facing urban households in Sudan requires comprehensive, holistic multi-sectoral responses that go beyond a focus on alleviating immediate suffering to lay solid foundations for a sustainable recovery and durable resilience. Key actions required include:Implementing economic recovery programs that prioritize microfinance and business development services for more stable self-employment, support to small business, and vocational training.Expanding urban agricultural initiatives to help diversify food sources and offer sustainable access to the components of nutritious diets.Improving healthcare access by immediately deploying mobile health clinics while restoring and expanding affordable healthcare services.Restoring remote learning solutions and platforms as well as community-based centres to ensure that Sudan’s human capital is not irreversibly harmed, while working on rebuilding the education system with a focus on providing financial assistance to affected families.Increasing private-public partnerships and investment in decentralized systems, such as solar energy, rainwater harvesting and local sanitation solutions while working on restoring water, sanitation, and electricity infrastructure systems.Expanding and strengthening formal social protection programs to foster greater economic resilience, reduce reliance on informal networks and ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable.Prioritizing housing, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities for displaced households.Additional Key FindingsThe proportion of urban households reporting having no income or employment has " surged to 18 percent compared to 1.6 percent pre-conflict. Unemployment is projected to surpass 45 percent by the end of 2024.While Sudan is now among four countries in the world with the highest prevalence of acute malnutrition, estimated at 13.6 percent, nearly half of the urban population faces moderate to severe food insecurity.Over 56 percent of urban households reported being in poorer or much poorer health than they were pre-conflict, as access to full health services dropped dramatically from 78 percent to 15.5 percent.While 63.6 percent of urban households reported that all school-age children in the household have ceased attendance, over 88 percent had at least one school-aged child ceased attending school since the conflict began.Access to piped water has decreased from 72.5 percent to 51.6 percent, while nearly 90 percent of households reported deteriorating reliability of electricity supply. The Arabic version of the report will be available shortly For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:UNDP | Robert Few | UNDP County Office in Sudan Robert.Few@UNDP.orgIFPRI | Evgeniya Anisimova | Media and Digital Engagement Manager | IFPRI – Washington DC e.anisimova@cgiar.org | +1 (202) 726-4394 About IFPRIThe International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition. IFPRI’s strategic research aims to identify and analyse alternative international and country-led strategies and policies for meeting food and nutrition needs in low- and middle-income countries, with particular emphasis on poor and vulnerable groups in those countries, gender equity, and sustainability. It is a research centre of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development. www.ifpri.org About UNDPUNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. http://www.undp.org

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Story

26 October 2025

Sowing hope for a better tomorrow through farming in Sudan

By Alejandra Romo Garcia in White Nile, Sudan In Sudan, years of armed conflict have displaced millions and disrupted food production across vast areas of the country. As farming systems collapse, families struggle to access nutritious food, earn an income, and meet their most basic needs. For many communities affected by displacement and insecurity, growing food has become increasingly difficult - if not impossible.To help address these challenges, UNHCR and its partners, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, are implementing climate-resilient farming in areas affected by displacement. The initiative provides access to land, tools, seeds, and technical training for 20,000 refugees, internally displaced people and members of the host community. It also includes support with irrigation, group farming, and access to savings and financial services.The goal is to help communities restore food production, enhance household nutrition, and strengthen livelihoods. Farming activities are tailored to local conditions, and participants receive training in sustainable practices that support long-term recovery.In White Nile State, where over 370,000 South Sudanese refugees have sought refuge, these efforts are already having an impact in people’s daily life.Haifa Bakhit, 19, escaped Khartoum with her mother in April 2023 when violence intensified. Now living with extended family in a host community, she is actively participating in the agriculture programme. Haifa joined a group farm supported by the project and quickly became involved in every stage of the growing cycle.“We left everything. My father stayed behind, and we haven’t heard from him since,” she shares.Working on the land has given Haifa a renewed sense of purpose. She and her mother contribute to each step of the production process - digging, sowing, weeding, and preparing for the harvest. “We have participated in all the farming process, preparing the land, sowing, weeding. When we harvest, we’ll receive a share of the wheat and contribute to a group savings plan,” she says. Beyond the group farm, Haifa is thinking ahead. She received vegetable seeds through the programme and now hopes to grow food at home - an effort that could improve her family’s nutrition and even generate extra income. “We received vegetable seeds to grow them this season and I’m very curious to farm vegetables, it gives me hope, something to look forward to.” Haifa’s quiet optimism shows how access to land and tools can open up new possibilities - from daily survival to long-term recovery.In Khor Al Warel refugee camp, James Abal brings decades of lived experience to the farming initiative. A father of six, he fled South Sudan in 2016 and has lived in the camp ever since. As a child, James lost his arm during ethnic violence. Years later, during forced displacement, he also lost his artificial hand. Arriving at the camp without equipment or support, James feared his days of farming were behind him. “When I arrived at the camp, I had nothing, not even the tools. I used to work back home,” he explains. The project helped James reconnect with a role he knows well. He joined a group farm and was assigned a responsibility suited to his abilities - guarding the crops from animals. His team welcomed him with trust and kindness. “They welcomed me into a group farm. Because of my disability, I was assigned to guard the farm from animals, and the group supported me with meals and kindness.” He remains an integral part of the team and takes pride in their progress. After months of effort, the wheat fields are nearly ready for harvest. James and his fellow farmers are counting on the yield to feed their families and take the next step in their recovery. “We expect 100 sacks of wheat, and each member will get two sacks. That’s enough to feed my family. Next season, we hope to grow vegetables and sell them in the market.”For James, the farming group is more than a livelihood - it is a source of dignity, purpose, and community. As he looks ahead, his hopes extend far beyond the harvest.“I hope to get a new artificial hand and more support to keep my children in school. But more than anything, I hope for peace for Sudan, and for our community,” James says. Through shared farms and group activities, the project is creating opportunities for displaced families to rebuild their lives. Participants are learning practical skills, strengthening local food systems, and forging connections amongst refugee and host communities.In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, UNHCR and partners are scaling up these efforts - helping people like James, Haifa, and thousands of others not just survive, but thrive, rebuild, and lead their communities forward.

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Story

22 October 2025

Polio stops here: Hanan’s mission to protect every child in Darfur

Years of listening, talking, and addressing fears around vaccines are paying off for Hanan, a vaccinator in Zalingei. Today, wherever she goes, children follow- and parents welcome her warmly. Their trust is the result of years of dedication and genuine care. Polio in DarfurWhen Hanan heard about the new polio outbreak in Darfur, she was deeply worried. Even one case of this life-threatening disease puts all children at risk. With three cases confirmed in West and Central Darfur, the danger was real.An outbreak response, supported by UNICEF with funding from KSRelief, was quickly launched to protect children. And, as always, Hanan was on the frontline. Her name is now known in every neighbourhood — a testament to the trust she has earned over the years, which was essential to reaching every child under five years with lifesaving polio drops. Ending polio, one home at a timeVaccine carrier on her shoulder and assistant by her side, Hanan joined mobile teams moving door to door.For more than ten years, she has vaccinated children against killer diseases in Zalingei. Her reputation precedes her — families open their doors without hesitation.“I do not face any challenges with families,” she proudly says.“Parents know me and what I advocate for. So, they bring their children whenever they see me.”At the next house, Mozamil, a father of a four-day-old baby, is waiting.“I stayed home when I heard the vaccinators were coming today,” he says with a smile as Hanan gives his son the lifesaving drops.Overwhelmed with joy, Hanan adds: “It’s moments like this that push me to stay on the frontline for children. We cannot fail parents like Mozamil. We cannot stop even during the war — vaccination is even more important now because families are constantly moving across the border to and from Chad.” The cost of war on childhood immunizationsAs the war in Sudan drags on, basic health services — including routine immunization — have been disrupted, and in many areas completely stopped. Vaccine coverage has dropped, resulting in outbreaks of polio, measles, and other preventable diseases that have claimed children’s lives.In 2025 alone, a total of 465 Acute Flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases - suspected polio cases - have been reported in Sudan — a harsh reminder of the cost of interrupted immunization programmes.UNICEF continues to support the Ministry of Health to sustain immunization services against all odds — strengthening the cold chain, procuring and delivering vaccines even in the most hard-to-reach and insecure areas.But without trusted frontline workers like Hanan, vaccines would never become vaccinations.Through their efforts, over 500,000 children under five years were reached with polio drops in the latest outbreak response campaign — surpassing the target population.Community trust in vaccinators like Hanan, combined with UNICEF-supported outreach through local radio, megaphone announcements, door-to-door awareness, and engagement of religious leaders, helped address fear and hesitancy and ensured a high vaccine uptake.The road to the campaignAccessing Darfur remains challenging. But through coordinated efforts and cross-border support, the Federal Ministry of Health led a campaign that:Procured and delivered vaccines to the Darfur states;Supplied finger markers and other materials;Activated community awareness drives ahead of the campaign;Trained and deployed over 4,500 vaccinators and 4,500 registrars.Stopping polio, one step at a timeUnder the scorching sun, wearing her yellow cap and carrying her vaccine carrier, every step Hanan took was a step closer to her dream — a generation free from vaccine-preventable diseases.“The safety of children was my biggest motivation,” she says.“Whenever I saw a smiling, finger-marked child, I felt energized to keep going.”

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Story

14 October 2025

Together is the only way: Voices from Sudan’s forgotten war

It was a Saturday morning, the 15th of April 2023. A day that began like any other in Khartoum. My son along with his cousins went to university. Soon after, my phone rang. My son’s voice was shaking: “Mama, RSF is coming to the university parking lot. Students are running, they’re terrified. Should I go back and take the car?” In that instant, my heart froze. I told him, “No. Leave the car. Stay with your cousins. Just get to safety.” That was the moment the war began for me and for millions of Sudanese families. None of us expected it to last this long. Many thought it was just another coup. But it became something far darker, displacing millions and devastating a country already on its knees.We had more than 200 volunteers spread across the country—many right where the fighting began. We had plans to scale up to 1,000 volunteers to support health services. In a matter of days, those plans collapsed. Suddenly, it wasn’t about growth. It was about survival.Care that goes both waysInternet, phones, and electricity disappeared. I remember typing messages in the dark, waiting desperately for a blue tick on WhatsApp—just to know someone was still alive. And yet, despite losing homes and families being displaced, volunteers kept showing up and serving. One of the UN Volunteers told me, “Even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, my work gives me purpose.” That kind of resilience is why we are here today.In all this we received tremendous support and guidance from both our Regional Office and Headquarters. They listened to us when we were in tears, asked about the safety of our families, and continually reassured us that, above all, our safety truly mattered. In May 2024, more than a year into the war, I met the Executive Coordinator who asked me, “We know you took good care of the volunteers. But how are you coping with all this stress?” That simple question reminded me that care is not only something we give outward—it must also flow inward. Shelter, support and showing upNeighbours sheltered international volunteers when the UN system failed. Families opened their doors. When the crisis hit, we had to quickly rethink how to truly support our volunteers. We took action to ease the stress they were facing: extending contracts for job security, offering daily allowances and relocation help, arranging emergency evacuations, enabling remote work and easy access to pay, and providing counselling and crisis hotlines for volunteers and their families.Every challenge is an opportunity, even the war in Sudan. How should we advocate about UN Volunteers and build partnerships on the ground? A question I was faced with as Country Coordinator. Working together for solutionsAt the start of the war, I worked to quickly connect UN teams with the volunteers they needed—without overlapping efforts. I looked at each team’s goals, who they wanted to support, and what resources were available. Based on this, I created tailored offers for each UN entity, as well as a general plan to meet broader community needs. Together with the Regional Office for Arab States, we shaped proposals for nine UN agencies, drawing on insights from country teams, project managers, and Resident Representatives. Informal conversations and networks were key in helping us respond to the needs of the UN system in Sudan—UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, IOM, OCHA, WFP, and WHO. We designed volunteer roles for specialists, remote support, and emergency projects — with deployments across Khartoum and Gezira State.As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In Sudan, the road is long. And the only way forward is together—volunteers, agencies, and communities. As one displaced father told me: “We don’t need promises. We need people.”Do we need perfection, or do we need presence?Speaking from a crisis context, I tell you that we don’t need perfection. We just need presence. We need to listen, talk and collaborate so that UNV is present on the frontline with the partners. And that presence — that thread of humanity — is what keeps hope alive in the forgotten war of Sudan.**************For more information about UN Volunteer assignments and how you can get involved, click here. To read our stories, click here.

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15 September 2025

Anchors of Hope: Women driving recovery and resilience

The Sudan’s conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has created one of the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crises. Today, an estimated 30.4 million people need assistance and more than 14.2 million have been displaced with nearly 10 million within Sudan and over 4.2 million in neighbouring countries. Rural communities have suffered deep losses as farms are abandoned, markets disrupted, and food prices soar. In this fragile environment, women are especially vulnerable. Yet many have emerged as vital leaders, protecting their families, land and dignity.Madina: Farmer, Leader, MotherIn Kalahoot Scheme in Kassala State, Madina Ibrahim Mohamed, a 47-year-old smallholder farmer and a mother of three, became one of those leaders. With a lifetime of experience in agriculture and livestock, Madina already played a key role in her community. She leads the Voluntary Women Farming Groups of the Kalahoot Scheme and is an active member of the Women Development Network in Kassala. She also works as a community Animal Health Worker and a local agricultural extensionist, advising others on field crops and vegetable production. Despite limited formal education, Madina pushed forward with her studies and enrolled at Sudan Open University, a testament to her determination to continue growing in the face of adversity.“We, as women, live the daily consequences of conflict, yet our voices are rarely included,” said Madina. “True change will only come when women and girls are empowered through education, training, and leadership opportunities to shape the peace our communities so urgently need.”Choosing Kindness in CrisisWhen the conflict broke out in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, Madina’s world was turned upside down. Still, in the midst of uncertainty, her family chose kindness. They welcomed three displaced families into their modest home, sharing every meal, every space, and every ounce of hope they had for nearly two years.“The conflict has weighed heavily on us. Everything is so expensive now,” Madina said. “We manage with what little we have, and even when there’s nothing, we stay thankful.” But their generosity stretched their resources thin. Long before the planting season, they had already exhausted their small reserves of sorghum and cash, leaving them without seeds or money to cultivate their fields. Women Rising TogetherMadina was determined to change her future, refusing to let hardship define her life. Together with 218 women farmers, she organized a local response, reaching out to government institutions, UN agencies, and both national and international NGOs for support. FAO was the first to respond in 2024, delivering sorghum seeds through its emergency seed distribution campaign, a lifeline amid Sudan’s deepening hunger crisis. With seeds in hand, the women were able to rent land at low cost, cultivate in time for the rainy season and produce a considerable harvest of sorghum and vegetables.“This support truly empowered women,” said Aisha Osheik, FAO Sector Coordinator. “They chose to lead, to make decisions and to carry out the work themselves. It gave them independence and, more importantly, it gave them hope at a time when everything felt uncertain.”Beyond Food ProductionThe impact went beyond food production. With support from Kassala Microfinance Institution, 48 women received seed money to launch small income-generating activities by selling soap, oil, biscuits and other local goods. All the women successfully repaid their loans within ten months and have continued their businesses independently.Resilience Rooted in the LandThrough personal hardship and community struggle, Madina continues to lead with strength, humility and vision. Her story reflects the resilience of Sudanese women who, even in crisis, remain deeply rooted in their land and their role as providers — and who are choosing to rise, organize and lead. What started as a struggle for survival has grown into new skills and a source of confidence and resilience.

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15 September 2025

Rebuilding Sudan’s health system through digital innovations

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has crippled the health system, leaving millions of children and families without access to essential services. More than 70 per cent of health facilities are non-functional, medicine supplies have been disrupted, and entire communities in conflict zones are cut off.To respond to these challenges, UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, and WHO under the Sudan Health Assistance and Response to Emergencies (SHARE) project funded by the World Bank- has launched three digital health innovations to rebuild and strengthen Sudan’s health system. From real-time and remote patient consultations and medicine subscriptions, to outbreaks response and frontline worker training, these tools offer a glimmer of hope.The digital health solutions, which will be rolled out across all 18 states, are designed to:Improve the quality of healthcare services and facilitate access especially for the most marginalized communities far from fixed health facilities and those trapped in conflict areas.Empower frontline workers to reach children and their families even in the remotest places.Build a more resilient and sustainable health system.In a country focused on restoring health services, deploying digital innovations will support continuous professional development for frontline workers, enable remote consultations and patients’ interactions, and improve coordination and governance- revitalization health systems and easing access to services for women and children.Improving access to health care will also help rebuild public confidence in a system that currently leaves many underserved, especially in conflict-affected areas.“We welcome this partnership and the deployment of these technologies. They are essential to strengthening our health system, supporting our frontline workers, and ensuring that no child is left behind,” said Dr. Heitham M Awadalla, Federal Minister of Health.The digital health solutionsCare ConnectA communication platform to improve coordination between healthcare workers – the backbone of the health system- and the Ministry of Health leadership. By improving governance, engagement, and efficiency, Care Connect l builds a more responsive health system that benefits women and children through better service delivery. IConnectFor families unable to access health facilities, IConnect will provide telehealth consultations through voice, video, and text messages, along with medication and laboratory test requests supported by electronic medical records. It removes physical barriers to healthcare access, enabling early diagnosis and treatment, especially for women and children in remote areas, while providing health workers with real-time feedback to improve quality of care. ZAMWContinuous training for health workers is central to improving service quality. ZAMW, an AI-powered mobile app, supports frontline workers with continuous learning through interactive learning tools like video lessons, quizzes, and educational games aligned with evolving treatment guidelines. This enhances patient outcomes while ensuring health workers are well-equipped to respond to community health needs.Rollout and impact The launch and subsequent roll-out of the digital solutions follows a successful pilot phase that reached over 5,000 health workers in five primary health care facilities and a referral hospital. The innovations will now be deployed in over 400 health facilities, supporting over 3,000 health workers and reaching nearly 500,000 children directly or indirectly across Sudan. The benefits are visible. “Using IConnect is straight forward. I now can send test results and follow up with the doctors regularly. It saves time and enables us serve people faster and more efficiently with less effort,” Haider, a nurse.“This is the first time that we feel connected as health workers,” Sitna, a general practitioner. “Through Care Connect we share information and experiences with our colleagues in other states.” “The videos on the ZAMW platform explain concepts in a simplified way and in our local dialect. This has boosted my confidence especially during this emergency,” Tasneem, a medical doctor.Speaking at the launch event, the UNICEF Representative Sheldon Yett said – “The health system in Sudan is facing immense challenges.” “Many hospitals and clinics are no longer operational, and health workers are doing their best under incredibly difficult conditions.”“The three digital tools being introduced are practical, scalable solutions that respond directly to the needs of health workers and communities.”By investing in digital health innovative solutions, UNICEF is not only strengthening Sudan’s healthcare systems but also improving quality and access to healthcare especially for the most disadvantaged and ensuring better health outcomes for millions of children in Sudan, amidst the conflict.

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Press Release

28 October 2025

Statement from the Operational Humanitarian Country Team in Sudan on attacks against civilians in El Fasher

We are horrified by credible reports of widespread violations, including summary executions, attacks on civilians along escape routes, house-to-house raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety. Sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, continues to be reported. Local responders are in grave danger, with some reportedly detained or killed.Humanitarian workers continue to operate under extraordinary risk, assisting thousands who have fled to Tawila and surrounding areas. Access to El Fasher remains severely restricted, and the capacity to respond is rapidly shrinking, while needs increase. We continue to be prevented from reaching El Fasher and the large number of civilians trapped in the city.We call on the international community — including Member States, regional organizations and donors — to act immediately to:1. Protect civilians, including humanitarian workers, and civilian infrastructure. All parties must take all necessary measures to protect civilians, cease attacks on hospitals, markets, displacement sites and civilian infrastructure, and respect the protected status of humanitarian operations under international law.2. Guarantee safe passage and humanitarian access. Civilians must be allowed to flee safely and in dignity, and aid agencies must receive unimpeded, sustained access to reach those trapped in El Fasher.3. Ensure accountability. All alleged violations of international humanitarian law must be investigated, and those responsible held to account, with a view to preventing further violations.4. Scale up urgent funding to enable life-saving assistance and support local responders, including women-led groups, working on the front lines.We remind all parties to the conflict that civilians, medical and humanitarian personnel, assets and humanitarian operations are protected under international humanitarian law. We urge the international community to act now — decisively and in unity — to prevent an even greater catastrophic loss of life and to restore the minimum conditions of safety and dignity for the people of El Fasher.The humanitarian community stands ready to scale up assistance in El Fasher once access and safety are secured. We will continue to bear witness, document violations and abuses, support survivors, and do everything within our capacity to strengthen the protection of civilians.****For more information, please contact: Dan Teng’o, dan.tengo@un.org; +249 91 253 2791

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Press Release

27 October 2025

Appalling reports of summary executions and other serious violations, as RSF makes major territorial gains in El Fasher and North Kordofan

“In El Fasher, initial reports indicate an extremely precarious situation since the RSF yesterday announced its takeover of the army’s 6th Infantry Division,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. “The risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day. Urgent and concrete action needs to be taken urgently to ensure the protection of civilians in El Fasher and safe passage for those trying to reach relative safety.”The Office has received reports of the summary execution of civilians trying to flee, with indications of ethnic motivations for killings, and of persons no longer participating in hostilities (hors de combat). Multiple distressing videos received by UN Human Rights show dozens of unarmed men being shot or lying dead, surrounded by RSF fighters who accuse them of being SAF fighters. Hundreds of people have reportedly been detained while trying to flee, including a journalist. Given past realities in North Darfur, the likelihood of sexual violence against women and girls in particular is extremely high. The Office has also received reports of numerous civilian deaths, including of local humanitarian volunteers, due to heavy artillery shelling from 22 to 26 October. It is difficult to estimate the number of civilian casualties at this point, given communications cuts and the large number of people fleeing.Amid severe food shortages and exorbitant prices, the Office has also received disturbing reports of the summary execution of five men by RSF fighters for attempting to bring food supplies into the city, which has been under RSF siege for 18 months. Summary executions of civilians by RSF fighters are also being reported in Bara city, North Kordofan state in western Sudan, after it was captured by the RSF on 25 October following a major offensive. The victims were reportedly accused of supporting the Sudanese Armed Forces. Reports suggest that dozens of civilians have been killed.“The RSF must urgently take concrete steps to end and prevent abuses against civilians in both El Fasher and Bara, including ethnically motivated violence and reprisal attacks,” Türk said. “I remind the RSF commanders of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians and to ensure the passage of essential supplies and humanitarian assistance – which just days ago they again publicly committed to doing.” The High Commissioner underlined that international humanitarian law prohibits violence against individuals no longer participating in hostilities (hors de combat). The use of starvation as a weapon of war is also strictly prohibited.Türk reiterated his call on Member States with influence to act urgently to prevent the commission of large-scale atrocities by the RSF and allied fighters, and to intensify pressure to end this intolerable conflict. Ensuring accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by all parties to the conflict is critical to ensure fresh cycles of violations and abuses do not recur.ENDS For more information and media requests, please contact:In GenevaRavina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org Liz Throssell: +41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org In NairobiSeif Magango : +254 78834 3897 / seif.magango@un.org

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Press Release

19 October 2025

The Government of Sudan and FAO join the global call for collective action to build resilient agrifood systems

Port Sudan – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) joins the Government of Sudan's Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in celebrating World Food Day and calling for collective action to build more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable agrifood systems for all.Under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” this year’s celebration underscores a critical truth: agrifood systems cannot transform in isolation; progress depends on what we achieve together, across institutions, borders and within communities.In Sudan, this message carries particular resonance; despite the immense challenges brought by conflict, climate shocks and economic hardship, communities continue to show remarkable resilience. These challenges demand immediate and coordinated action to restore livelihoods, revitalize local production and lay the groundwork for long-term food security.“Food security is the foundation of peace and stability,” said H.E. Prof. Dr. Ismat Qureshi Abdallah, Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “In these challenging times, ensuring every Sudanese family has access to food is not only a priority, it is our duty. Together with FAO and partners, we are determined to build a future free from hunger.”Everyone has a role to playEveryone has a role to play in this collective effort, from governments and organizations to farmers, researchers, businesses, youth and consumers. Simple actions, such as adopting healthy diets, reducing food waste, protecting natural resources, and speaking up for those facing hunger, can drive meaningful change."World Food Day is a moment to reconnect with partners, with communities and with our founding purpose," said Hongjie Yang, FAO Representative in Sudan. "When we work together, hand in hand, we build not just food security, but peace and dignity for all.Eight decades of partnership for a food-secure worldThis year's commemoration carries special significance as FAO marks 80 years since its founding in 1945. For eight decades, FAO has worked hand in hand with nations to fight hunger, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.By working hand in hand with the Government of Sudan and the people we serve, FAO is committed to supporting Sudan’s recovery, protecting livelihoods and building a food-secure future for all. ContactEilaf AbdelbasitFAO/Sudan+249123213203eilaf.abdelbasit@fao.org

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Press Release

12 October 2025

North Darfur: Deliberate Targeting of Civilians Must Stop

(Port Sudan, 12 October 2025) - I condemn in the strongest possible terms the repeated and deliberate targeting of civilians in North Darfur.On the evening of 10 October and into the morning of 11 October drone attacks struck a location where internally displaced people were sheltering in Daraja Oula neighborhood. The attacks were reportedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in the deaths of at least 57 civilians, including women and children.Between 5 and 8 October, a series of attacks reportedly carried out by the RSF, including one on the Saudi Hospital, the last functioning major medical facility in El Fasher, left at least 53 civilians dead and more than 60 injured. The hospital, which continues to serve thousands of conflict-affected civilians, was severely impacted. The attack on this vital facility is a devastating blow to the survival of civilians trapped in the city.Hospitals, shelters, and places of refuge must not be targeted. I reiterate my previous appeal for respect for international humanitarian law and an immediate end to attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. These incidents demand thorough, impartial investigations, and those responsible must be held accountable.The United Nations and its partners remain committed to supporting the people of El Fasher and all those affected by the conflict across Sudan. Civilians need to be protected. The humanitarian community requires access, and, above all, the people of Sudan need the violence to stop.***For more information, please contact: Samreen Abuidris, samreen.abuidris@un.org; +971 56 385 1676

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