Sudan humanitarian crisis deepens as Red Cross calls for urgent aid

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worsening and urged urgent international support. IFRC Special Envoy for Sudan Derk Segaar said about 35 million people need assistance, more than 9 million are internally displaced and roughly 4.5 million have fled to neighboring countries. Only 35 % of the IFRC’s emergency appeal for Sudan has been funded, leaving volunteers and health services severely strained.

The Sudanese Red Crescent, backed by the IFRC, operates with about 122,000 volunteers across all 18 states, but local capacity cannot meet the scale of need. Khartoum remains heavily damaged, with millions lacking reliable electricity, clean water and medical care. Outbreaks of cholera, widespread malnutrition and the threat of seasonal flooding further strain the weakened health and humanitarian systems.