Red Cross urges international aid as Sudan crisis deepens
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has called for increased international humanitarian aid to Sudan, warning that funding shortfalls threaten relief efforts as the conflict enters its 1,200th day. The organization reports 35 million people require assistance, with over 9 million internally displaced.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has issued an urgent appeal for expanded international support for Sudan, emphasizing that humanitarian needs are accelerating while financial contributions lag significantly. Derk Segaar, the IFRC's Special Envoy for Sudan, characterized the crisis as among the world's largest yet most neglected, following a fact-finding mission to the country.
Sudan's conflict began in April 2023 between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military, resulting in at least 59,000 documented deaths according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data monitoring organization. Humanitarian groups contend this figure substantially underestimates actual casualties. The war has devastated the entire nation, with Khartoum residents facing severe shortages of electricity, potable water, and healthcare services. Additional threats include cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, and flooding. Current assessments indicate 35 million people require humanitarian assistance, more than 9 million are internally displaced, and 4.5 million have fled the country.
Military leadership has signaled continued offensive operations. Sudanese Army Lieutenant-General Yasser al-Atta announced that forces are advancing simultaneously across all fronts with the objective of eliminating the RSF before year's end. Recent operations resulted in the seizure of multiple positions along a critical road connecting Omdurman and el-Obeid in North Kordofan, where fighting has intensified since October 2025.
International diplomatic efforts are intensifying to revive stalled political negotiations. The United Nations convened representatives from five international organizations, including the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the European Union, and the League of Arab States, for discussions with Sudanese political parties. These talks built upon exploratory consultations held in Addis Ababa in June and focused on advancing the political process through confidence-building measures.
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