Sudan’s conflict is escalating into a regional humanitarian crisis, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned Tuesday.
“The conflict in Sudan is not just a national crisis. It is spreading across the region,” said Danielle Brouwer, IFRC communications coordinator.
Nearly 4.5 million people have fled Sudan, many seeking refuge in fragile neighbouring areas where food, water, and medical care are scarce.
Separately, in Renk, South Sudan, residents walk long distances for water, survive on a single meal a day, and face critical medicine shortages, Brouwer said.
Overcrowding is severe: about 8,000 people are stranded at a transit centre beyond capacity, with many forced to sleep in makeshift shelters.
Brouwer shared the story of a mother of two who fled Khartoum, walking 500 kilometres to reach relative safety amid the violence.
The approaching rainy season threatens to worsen the crisis, increasing the risk of floods and waterborne diseases across South Sudan.
Global supply chain disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict are delaying aid, complicating deliveries of vital food and medical supplies.
Tents stored in Dubai remain stalled, cholera treatment kits cannot reach Chad, and shipments now take longer, costlier routes through Egypt.
“These delays mean people in urgent need must wait longer, turning an already dire situation into a slow-burning nightmare,” Brouwer said from Juba.
The IFRC urged immediate international action to prevent further deterioration and avert a humanitarian disaster spanning Sudan and the wider region.
