The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the worsening crisis in Sudan, stating that the international community fails to grasp its gravity.
Mamadou Dian Balde, coordinating the UN Refugee Agency’s response, emphasized that the global diplomatic efforts are far from sufficient.
Balde told AFP that the situation in Sudan is far worse than many realize, with consequences extending far beyond the country.
The UNHCR, along with its partners, has received only 30 percent of the $1.5 billion requested to support Sudanese refugees in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for greater assistance.
The conflict, which began in mid-April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army, has already claimed tens of thousands of lives.
It has displaced more than 12 million people, making it one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory.
As the conflict rages on, 3.2 million people have fled Sudan, while over 8.6 million are displaced within the country.
The situation is compounded by the influx of over 264,000 refugees from other nations, also displaced by the war.
Balde warned that Sudan’s crisis is not a regional issue, but a global one, as refugees are fleeing beyond neighboring countries.
Some 60,000 have reached Uganda, and the number continues to rise.
The UNHCR has expressed concern about the large numbers crossing into South Sudan, where 40,000 people have arrived in just two weeks.
To avoid further strain on resources, UNHCR is shifting toward an “urbanization” strategy, avoiding the creation of costly new camps.
Balde urged the UN Security Council to take action, stating that the situation is not just a humanitarian issue, but one of peace, stability, and development.
