GENEVA — August 4, 2026 — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for urgent and expanded international support for Sudan, warning that shrinking humanitarian funding threatens efforts to help communities rebuild after more than 1,200 days of conflict.
IFRC Special Envoy for Sudan, Derk Segaar, speaking to reporters in Geneva after returning from the country, described Sudan as « one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, yet also one of its most overlooked. »
Sudan descended into all-out war in April 2023 between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military. According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, the conflict has claimed at least 59,000 lives, though aid groups warn the true figure is likely many times higher.
The humanitarian toll is staggering: 35 million people require assistance, more than 9 million are internally displaced, and 4.5 million have fled Sudan altogether. Across the country — including in Khartoum — millions lack reliable electricity, clean water, and healthcare, while cholera, malnutrition, and flooding compound the crisis.
While some aid is reaching the Kordofan and Darfur regions, Segaar stressed that the devastation spans the entire country.
Fighting continues across Sudan’s three Kordofan states — North, West, and South — where clashes between the army and RSF have persisted since October 2025. Sudanese Army Lieutenant-General Yasser al-Atta announced the military is advancing on all fronts with the stated aim of eliminating the RSF before year’s end, following a rapid operation that seized several key positions along the Omdurman–el-Obeid road.
On the diplomatic front, the United Nations is intensifying efforts to revive the stalled political process. Representatives from five international organizations — including the African Union, IGAD, the European Union, and the League of Arab States — held talks with Sudanese political parties on Monday. UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is also engaged with RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to discuss de-escalation.
The IFRC urges the international community to sustain and increase humanitarian support before funding shortfalls further endanger millions of lives.
Diplomacy
Meanwhile, the United Nations is ramping up efforts to get the stalled political process on track.
The UN says representatives from five international organisations, including the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the European Union and the League of Arab States held talks with Sudanese political parties on Monday.
“Building on exploratory consultations held in Addis Ababa in June, the Quintet engaged Sudanese civilian political leaders in recent days. Discussions continued on proposals and perspectives for advancing the political process, including through the establishment of confidence-building measures,” said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
The UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, is also talking with RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to discuss reducing escalation.