As the war in Sudan enters its fourth year, civilians continue to face deadly violence, mass displacement, and widespread sexual abuse, prompting urgent warnings from the United Nations’s top humanitarian official in the country.
Denise Brown, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, described the situation as an “abandoned crisis,” stressing that the conflict is marked by repeated atrocities and ongoing suffering. Speaking from Khartoum, she warned that the international community is failing to respond adequately as conditions worsen.
Reports from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and humanitarian partners reveal alarming levels of sexual violence, including widespread cases of rape and gang rape, particularly in Darfur. Over the past year alone, aid organizations have treated nearly 2,500 survivors. Brown emphasized that the consequences extend beyond individuals, deeply affecting families, communities, and children born as a result of such violence.
She also highlighted reports of mass killings in El Fasher, where approximately 6,000 people were killed within three days, according to verified data, with the actual toll potentially higher.
Calling for stronger global action, Brown urged countries to focus on preventing further atrocities by addressing the drivers of the conflict, including arms flows and the broader war economy. She raised concerns about the enforcement of the Darfur arms embargo and questioned whether enough is being done to curb the violence. While humanitarian agencies remain active on the ground, she stressed that aid alone cannot resolve the crisis without meaningful political intervention.
Among the most critical areas of concern is Dilling in South Kordofan, where aid access has again been cut off following renewed attacks. Civilians are attempting to flee amid ongoing bombardment, but safe passage remains unavailable. In Blue Nile state, escalating violence has displaced nearly 30,000 people in recent weeks.
Despite the dire situation, Brown pointed to local peace efforts as a rare source of hope, noting that communities are working to counter hate speech and promote reconciliation at the grassroots level.
However, the humanitarian response remains severely underfunded. In 2025, only 35 percent of the required funding was secured, and in 2026, just 16 percent of the $2.8 billion appeal has been met so far. Brown warned that this funding gap is directly affecting the ability to provide essential aid, urging the international community to both intensify efforts to end the conflict and ensure that immediate humanitarian needs are adequately supported.
