By Matik Kueth
As Sudan commemorates two years since the onset of the civil war, humanitarian organizations are highlighting the significant and escalating needs of the nation’s populace, particularly in the devastated capital city of Khartoum.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sheldon Yett, UNICEF’s representative in Sudan, expressed grave concerns regarding the situation, noting that while some limited humanitarian aid is beginning to reach newly accessible areas, it is insufficient to meet the pressing demands.
“As Khartoum opens up, I dread to imagine the extent of the needs we will encounter,” Yett stated
Once a vibrant metropolis, Khartoum has suffered extensive damage and now stands as one of the conflict’s epicenters, which ignited on April 15, 2023, due to a violent power struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The death toll has exceeded 20,000, although the actual number is believed to be significantly higher.
Although the Sudanese military has recently regained control of Khartoum—an important symbolic achievement—the road to normalcy remains elusive. The RSF continues to control vast regions, particularly in Darfur, where the U.N. reported over 300 civilian deaths just this past weekend amid renewed violence.
“People are uncertain about what lies ahead, they hear that conditions are stabilizing, but they are fearful. They are aware of the destruction, with some learning about unexploded ordnance remaining in the city, which poses serious hazards,” he said.
Basic services in Khartoum are just beginning to recover from a very limited starting point. The city’s public health infrastructure has sustained extensive damage, leaving families anxious not only about their safety but also about their livelihoods and the health of their children. Yet, cautioning that without access to healthcare for children, conditions are likely to deteriorate further.
The broader crisis is alarming, with the World Food Programme reporting that nearly 25 million people—about half of Sudan’s population—are currently facing severe hunger. More than three million individuals have fled the country, seeking safety in neighboring nations such as Chad and Egypt.
With both conflicting parties facing accusations of war crimes and civilian casualties rising, the urgent appeal for increased humanitarian aid and a lasting political resolution has never been more critical