“Now, more than ever, the citizens of Sudan require your urgent intervention,” stated Edem Wosornu from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) during a briefing for ambassadors on Wednesday. “Two years of unrelenting conflict in Sudan have caused severe suffering and turned many regions into disastrous environments,” she added, outlining the dire consequences.
The ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have resulted in over half the population—24.6 million individuals—facing acute food insecurity. Moreover, more than 12 million people have been displaced, with 3.4 million seeking refuge across borders. The healthcare system has collapsed, millions of children are out of school, and there has been a disturbing prevalence of sexual violence.
Recent alarming developments were highlighted by Ms. Wosornu, particularly regarding North Darfur state, including the Zamzam displacement camp, as well as Khartoum and southern regions of the country. She noted that eight months following the adoption of Resolution 2739 (2024) by the Council, civilians in North Darfur remain under siege. This resolution called for the RSF to cease its blockade of the state capital, El Fasher.
In addition, violence around the Zamzam camp has escalated. It is reported that hundreds of thousands of civilians reside there, where famine conditions have been confirmed. Satellite imagery has revealed the use of heavy weaponry in and around Zamzam in recent weeks, along with the destruction of crucial market facilities. “Fearful civilians, including humanitarian workers, found themselves unable to escape during the height of the fighting. Many lost their lives, including at least two humanitarian personnel,” she remarked.
The deteriorating security situation has compelled Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)—the primary provider of health and nutritional support in Zamzam camp—to suspend its activities. Concurrently, the World Food Programme (WFP) has halted its voucher-based food assistance program. Famine conditions in Zamzam were confirmed last August, and since then, WFP has only managed to deliver one convoy of humanitarian supplies to the camp, despite multiple attempts to increase aid.
The UN agency cautioned that without immediate intervention, thousands could face starvation in the upcoming weeks.
Intense fighting in other areas also continues to directly affect civilians, particularly in parts of Khartoum, where the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has verified instances of summary executions in regions that have changed control. “We remain extremely concerned about the grave risks faced by local responders and community volunteers in Khartoum and beyond,” she noted.
Additionally, Ms. Wosornu mentioned that in southern Sudan, there are reports of violence spreading into new locations in North and South Kordofan states, heightening risks for civilians and complicating the movement of humanitarian aid. Disturbing reports of atrocities in White Nile state have also surfaced, including a series of attacks earlier this month that reportedly resulted in numerous civilian deaths.
In support of the humanitarian response, she reminded attendees that last week marked the launch of the 2025 humanitarian response plans for Sudan and the surrounding region. Collectively, these plans require $6 billion to assist nearly 25 million people in Sudan and up to five million others, primarily refugees, in neighboring countries. She emphasized the necessity for the international community, especially members of the Security Council, to intensify efforts to alleviate the crisis.
Ms. Wosornu concluded her address by outlining three critical requests. “We urge the Security Council—and all influential Member States—to take immediate measures to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard civilians along with the infrastructure and services they depend on,” she stated. Her second request underscored the need for genuine implementation of commitments to enable unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need. Finally, she pointed out the urgent funding gap. “The scale of needs in Sudan is unprecedented and calls for an equally unprecedented mobilization of international support, including flexible funding,” she said.
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