April 15, 2023, marked the day that the Sudanese Civil War began, and it has been raging ever since. According to the Global Conflict Tracker, around 15,000 people have been killed and almost 8.2 million people have been displaced. Displacement is defined as an involuntary or coerced movement of a person or people away from their home or home region, and this is a major global problem. Since so many Sudanese have had to flee their homes, neighboring countries like Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, which causes an overabundance in refugee camps. The Global Conflict Tracker also says that the UN, or United Nations, has pleaded for support from other countries in what is being called “the world's largest hunger crisis”. Approximately 25 million people are in need of some sort of assistance, and there are many deteriorating food supply risks. 

The main cause of the civil war was basically a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The IRC also states that Sudan tops their Emergency Watchlist, due to “escalating conflict, mass displacement, an economic crisis and a near collapse of health care services”. 

Sudan already was experiencing a humanitarian crisis long before the war broke loose. There was lots of history of economic pressures and political instability which left approximately 15 million people in need of aid, and these problems have only increased since the war began. The IRC also says that it has been extremely difficult for aid to reach vulnerable communities due to the mass displacement and supposed reports of mass killings. 

Within the country, the healthcare system is also severely struggling. Staff, funding, and medical supplies have decreased, leaving around 70% of medical facilities non-functional. Additionally, a strain has been placed on water, sanitation, and hygiene, according to the IRC. measles and cholera outbreaks have caused numerous deaths and cases are still being confirmed. 

A large majority of the population is also suffering from extreme malnutrition and food insecurity, and many people are facing risks of starvation. Again, due to the inability of reaching struggling communities, humanitarian access has not truly been able to bring in more food and supplies. Eatizaz Yousif, IRC country director for Sudan, has stated that‘“an immediate ceasefire is now more critical than ever to prevent mass deaths resulting from a hunger crisis that is rapidly spreading across Sudan.”’