Conflict Turns Parts of Sudan ‘Into a Hellscape,’ Security Council Hears: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 26, 2025 (12:00 EST) – The already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan has deteriorated to a catastrophic level, with parts of the country now described as a “hellscape” by aid organizations and UN officials, according to a briefing given to the Security Council today. Ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023, continues unabated, driving millions from their homes, leaving essential infrastructure in ruins, and pushing the country to the brink of widespread famine.
The briefing, delivered by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, provided a grim account of the escalating crisis. The fighting has intensified in recent months, particularly around key cities like Khartoum, El Fasher, and Nyala, effectively cutting off access for aid workers to reach vulnerable populations.
Key Findings and Concerns Raised at the Security Council Briefing:
- Famine Looms: Food insecurity has reached alarming levels. Disruptions to agricultural production, market closures due to fighting, and the deliberate targeting of food supplies have created widespread shortages. Malnutrition rates, particularly among children, are soaring. The UN warned that without immediate and sustained intervention, Sudan faces a humanitarian catastrophe of unimaginable scale. Projections estimate that over 25 million people, more than half the country’s population, are in need of humanitarian assistance, and over 7 million face acute hunger.
- Displacement Crisis: The conflict has triggered one of the largest displacement crises in the world. Over 10 million people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas within Sudan or neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. These displaced populations are living in overcrowded camps with limited access to food, water, sanitation, and healthcare, making them highly vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
- Deliberate Targeting of Civilians and Infrastructure: The Security Council heard evidence of both the SAF and RSF engaging in attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water facilities. There are also credible reports of targeted violence against ethnic groups and widespread sexual violence. These actions constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and are exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population.
- Aid Access Severely Restricted: Humanitarian organizations are facing significant challenges in accessing those in need. Bureaucratic hurdles, security concerns, and deliberate obstruction by parties to the conflict are hindering the delivery of life-saving assistance. Aid workers have also been targeted and harassed, further limiting their ability to operate. The UN Special Envoy for Sudan reiterated calls for all parties to the conflict to ensure safe, unimpeded, and sustained humanitarian access.
- Collapse of Essential Services: Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system has been decimated by the conflict. Hospitals have been destroyed or damaged, and medical personnel have been displaced or killed. The breakdown of sanitation systems and water supplies has increased the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, further straining the limited healthcare resources.
- Regional Instability: The conflict in Sudan is destabilizing the entire region. The influx of refugees into neighboring countries is putting a strain on their already limited resources, and the spread of weapons and armed groups is fueling insecurity across borders.
Calls for Action and International Response:
The Security Council meeting concluded with a strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue to resolve the conflict peacefully. Council members emphasized the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and allow for unimpeded humanitarian access.
Specifically, the Security Council called for:
- An immediate ceasefire and resumption of peace talks facilitated by regional and international actors.
- All parties to the conflict to guarantee the safety and security of civilians and allow for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.
- Increased funding for humanitarian operations in Sudan and neighboring countries. The current UN appeal for Sudan is severely underfunded, leaving millions without essential assistance.
- Accountability for war crimes and human rights violations committed during the conflict.
- Strengthened monitoring and reporting on the humanitarian situation in Sudan.
Several member states expressed deep concern about the lack of progress in resolving the conflict and the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law. Some called for the imposition of further sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for obstructing humanitarian access or committing atrocities.
The Road Ahead:
The situation in Sudan remains extremely precarious. Without a significant increase in humanitarian assistance and a sustained commitment to peace, the country faces a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. The international community must act swiftly and decisively to prevent further suffering and to avert the potential collapse of Sudan. The UN Secretary-General is expected to convene a high-level pledging conference in the coming weeks to mobilize additional resources for the humanitarian response. The success of these efforts will be crucial in determining the fate of millions of Sudanese civilians who are trapped in a brutal and seemingly endless conflict.
Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears
The AI has provided us with the news.
I asked Google Gemini the following question.
Humanitarian Aid a new article on 2025-02-26 12:00 titled “Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
52