Caritas Australia is calling for urgent international action and attention as the conflict in Sudan reaches 1,000 days. The crisis is now the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement emergency, with millions having fled amid unspeakable violence.
An attack on the North Kordofan capital of el-Obeid in recent days saw eight children killed, with at least 114 people also killed amid a week of attacks in Darfur. In October of last year over 460 patients were shockingly killed at a maternity hospital in El Fasher, North Darfur.
“These attacks speak to the escalating violence in Sudan” said Sally Thomas, Humanitarian Manager at Caritas Australia. “The conflict has not abated as time wears on meaning civilians have been at constant risk for close to three years, especially those most vulnerable, which is a key driver of Sudan’s acute displacement crisis.”
More than 33.7 million people now need humanitarian assistance, and almost 12 million have been forced from their homes. Of the displaced, 7.2 million have remained in Sudan many among overcrowded and dangerous camps. Millions have fled across the borders into South Sudan or Chad, straining already scarce resources in host communities.
Women and children are facing the gravest risks, including escalating hunger, disease outbreaks, and gender-based violence. Famine has already taken hold in parts of North Darfur and South Kordofan, with at least 20 additional areas at imminent risk.
Caritas Australia supports a joint appeal by Caritas Internationalis and the ACT Alliance, which provides lifesaving support across North Darfur, Gedaref, White Nile, North Kordofan, River Nile, and Khartoum.
This includes:
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Nutritional support for young children
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Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene programs in overcrowded camps
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Protection and gender-based violence services for women and girls
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Emergency cash assistance to displaced families
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Health support, including cholera and dengue fever response
Support is widespread, with gender-based violence services targeted at over 90,000 people, and water and sanitation services expected to reach over 115,000 people.
“A thousand days of violence have left millions of Sudanese families facing hunger, trauma, and disease with almost no access to help. Our partners are doing everything they can, but without safe humanitarian access and stronger global action, the situation will continue to worsen. Sudan cannot be allowed to slip further into catastrophe” concluded Sally Thomas.
Caritas Australia is urging the international community to scale up diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure rapid, sustained access for humanitarian organisations.
To support Caritas Australia’s Sudan Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/sudan or call 1800 024 413 toll free.
ENDS
Media contact: Tara Harvey 0484 002 021 tara.harvey@caritas.org.au or caritasmedia@caritas.org.au
