The United Nations has issued a stark warning that continued neglect of Sudan’s escalating refugee crisis will lead to “catastrophic consequences”, as the country’s civil war enters its third year.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sounded the alarm on Tuesday, calling the ongoing conflict between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) a “forgotten war” that has created the world’s most severe humanitarian and displacement crisis.
“After two years of unrelenting suffering, the world can no longer afford to ignore this emergency. We must make every effort to bring peace to Sudan,” Grandi said.
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, more than 13 million people have been forcibly displaced and tens of thousands killed. Both factions have been accused by the United States of committing atrocities during the power struggle, which has devastated the country and left its people in desperate need of aid.
International assistance, however, has been slashed dramatically. Aid groups have warned that dwindling global support is pushing millions of displaced Sudanese towards the brink of starvation and disease.
On Tuesday, senior international officials convened in London in an effort to chart a course towards peace. However, neither of the warring sides were present at the meeting, limiting prospects for immediate progress.
The UN refugee chief also raised concerns about the regional impact of the war, warning that neighbouring countries that have welcomed waves of Sudanese refugees are now facing mounting pressure.
“It’s not just the Sudanese who have become invisible. The world has largely turned its back on the countries and communities that have taken in so many refugees,” Grandi said.
Observers fear the conflict may soon spill beyond Sudan’s borders, threatening the already fragile stability of the Horn of Africa — one of the world’s most impoverished and conflict-prone regions.
