Unraveling Sudan’s Crisis: A Comprehensive NDTV Explainer on the World’s Most Devastating Humanitarian Disaster

New Delhi: The civil war in Sudan has escalated into a severe humanitarian crisis. Recent drone strikes and artillery shelling in the capital, Khartoum, have claimed the lives of at least 56 individuals. The situation is dire, with countless deaths, widespread starvation, and millions displaced.

Sudan’s history of violence dates back to the 2003 Darfur crisis. The country has one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. After the fall of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, there was hope for reform and a shift towards civilian rule. However, tensions rose between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group originally formed to quell uprisings in Darfur. This conflict intensified when SAF and RSF clashed in April 2023 in Khartoum, quickly spreading to other regions.

More than 11 million people have been displaced since the fighting began, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Most health facilities in the country are non-operational, leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and measles, while two-thirds of the population cannot access healthcare.

The crisis has impacted women and children severely. Reports indicate that over 3 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence, and the conflict has seen a rise in sexual violence. According to UNICEF, Sudan now faces one of the largest child displacement crises in the world, with over 90% of school-age children unable to attend school.

Aid delivery has been heavily restricted amid this chaos. The World Food Programme reports that they can’t reach 90% of those in urgent need. Despite pledges of over $2 billion in aid from international donors, only a small fraction has been raised.

At present, the RSF controls much of Khartoum and Darfur, while SAF retains power in northern and eastern Sudan. The country faces multiple challenges, including droughts and floods, compounding the suffering of its people.

Sudan’s geopolitical significance also makes it a focal point for foreign interests. It is a major producer of gold, blessed with fertile land along the River Nile, and located on a vital shipping route on the Red Sea. Notably, reports suggest that Russia’s Wagner group has provided support to the RSF during the conflict, while Iran is reportedly supplying armed drones to the region.

The situation remains critical, and the future of millions hangs in the balance.



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Sudan,Sudan civil war,Darfur,Africa