It’s been one year since the conflict in Sudan first broke out, and away from the headlines and the international community’s attention, the country is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis.
Every second person, or 25 million people, is in need of humanitarian assistance. Over 8.6 million people are displaced within Sudan and in neighbouring countries with many of them having been forced to move multiple times.
At the same time, 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity, and 5 million are on the brink of famine. One in seven children under five is acutely malnourished. With the lean season expected to start soon and without assistance, the situation will only worsen in the coming months.
Collapsing health system
On top of this, the health system is collapsing, especially in hard-to-reach areas, with health facilities destroyed, looted or struggling with acute shortages of staff, medicines, vaccines, equipment and supplies.
Only some 30% of health facilities are still functioning and at minimal levels. Medical supplies in the country are estimated at about 25% of what is needed. Some states, such as Darfur, have not received any medical supplies for the past year.
This means that in many areas, pregnant women and newborn babies are not getting care, there is no vaccination for children, and patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, cancer or kidney failure are at risk of severe complications or even death from the lack of medication.
