As Sudan’s civil war grinds into a third year, humanitarian workers face unprecedented danger, warns Aida al-Sayed Abdullah, head of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society.
In an interview with Anadolu in Geneva, Abdullah described the country’s chaos as one where no law or emblem offers protection.
“The war doesn’t respect anything — no international humanitarian law, no emblem, nothing,” she said.
Clashes between General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023 have devastated the nation, displacing over 13 million people and leaving entire regions in ruin.
While UN figures put the death toll above 20,000, U.S. researchers estimate it could be as high as 130,000 — a staggering toll largely overlooked by the world.
Nearly 80% of Sudan’s health facilities are now non-functional. Many communities endure weeks without electricity or clean water, compounding an already unbearable humanitarian crisis.
“Right now, for 14 days, there is no electricity in Sudan,” Abdullah said, underscoring the collapse of basic infrastructure and daily hardship endured by millions.
Despite mounting risks, SRCS staff and volunteers remain active across all 18 states, offering aid in even the hardest-hit areas like Darfur.
“They are doing evacuation, first aid, setting up community kitchens, and serving all the community,” Abdullah noted, praising their dedication and courage.
Yet, she stressed, the organization faces severe funding shortages, with international aid falling woefully short of needs on the ground.
SRCS continues to work with partners like Turkey, the UN, and international NGOs, but Abdullah fears fading global interest could doom Sudan’s people to prolonged suffering.
“This has been two years of suffering,” she said. “Please remember Sudan and support the Sudanese people.”
