Sudan’s ongoing conflict reached a disheartening milestone of 1,000 days on January 9, prompting urgent warnings from U.N. aid officials about the severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions. According to Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly 34 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, and the extent of the suffering is described as “staggering.” The conflict has intensified in the Kordofan region, where fierce fighting continues to besiege towns such as Kadugli and Dilling, severely limiting access to essential food, healthcare, and markets.
UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires highlighted the devastating impact on children, noting that over five million have been uprooted from their homes. This figure translates to approximately 5,000 children displaced every single day since the conflict erupted.
In light of the escalating crisis, Laerke made an urgent appeal for an immediate end to hostilities and called for tangible steps towards achieving lasting peace. He emphasized the necessity for full adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of both civilians and aid workers caught in the crossfire. With the scale of the crisis continuing to grow, the international community’s response and commitment to peace are more crucial than ever to alleviate the suffering of those affected by this prolonged conflict.