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What is happening in Sudan?
In April 2023, a civil war erupted in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war started on the streets of the capital city, Khartoum. Since then, intense fighting has spread to other parts of the country.
One in every five people in the country have been displaced because of the war and previous conflicts in parts of Sudan since 2003. This humanitarian crisis is extreme.
The war in Sudan has left 25 million people in need of assistance. Several million people have fled into neighbouring countries.
They have become refugees in areas like Chad, the Central African Republic (CAR), Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Over 11 million others remain displaced in Sudan.
Why is there a war?
The war is currently fought between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The war broke out due to a vicious power struggle within the country’s military leadership. There are clashes between the government army, and a paramilitary army called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The shooting erupted on April 15, following days of escalating tension due to the relocation of RSF members across the country, which portrayed the army as a threat.
Where is Sudan?
Sudan is northeast Africa. It’s one of the largest countries in Africa, and spans 1.9 million square kilometres. It is also one of the world’s poorest countries. Its 46 million inhabitants live on an average annual income of £606 per person.
Sudan’s population is predominantly Muslim, and its official languages are Arabic and English.
An arial shot of Sudan, 2021.
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How you can help people in Sudan?
Over 11 million people are displaced in Sudan. People are displaced. Many people have moved repeatedly, to flee extreme violence with only what they can carry.
Families are also living out in the open or in makeshift shelters. These do not protect people from the weather. They also mean people don’t have dignity or privacy.
Right now, our teams are delivering shelter aid into Sudan. This is only possible because of donations from people like you. By giving general funds today, you ensure we can respond to global emergencies, including in Sudan.
Support our work today. Click here to learn more about how we spend your money.
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Zara sits in her temporary shelter, preparing tea.
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Zara’s story
Zara fled Sudan with her children, in search of safety. She reached Chad and ShelterBox and our partner provided emergency shelter.
She describes her experience fleeing Sudan. ‘They went from house to house to kill people in my community… we left our belongings to save our lives.’
Zara and her children travelled for three days before arriving in Eastern Chad. Although she now has a shelter and safety in Chad, her husband remains in Sudan. They have to travel 10 to 20 kilometres to get water, and she cannot work, nor can her children attend school.
Zara hopes for peace in Sudan. And notes ‘I advise women like me to have patience and courage for a better future, for themselves and their children.’
Read Zara's StoryYour questions about the Sudan crisis answered
When did the war start?
April 2025 marks two years since the start of the conflict.
Will the war end soon?
No. The end of the civil war not looking likely any time soon.
The crisis continues to be overlooked with little public awareness about the severity of what’s going on.
Listen to a podcast on Sudan’s forgotten war, here.
Who is winning the war?
This is unclear. There appears to be a stalemate in the civil war.
Conflict continues to escalate in some parts of Sudan. Displacement camps and the besieged city of El Fasher have been shelled in North Darfur. This has forced more people to flee their homes, adding to the already bleak humanitarian situation.
What is happening in Sudan?
Millions of people have fled their homes. As of November 2024, more than 11 million people have been forcibly displaced because of the conflict.
There is a dire food crisis. Conflict has distributed the food supply across Sudan.
Is humanitarian aid being blocked in Sudan?
Humanitarian aid was being deliberately blocked until the end of 2024. 25 million people are in need of assistance.
What happened in Sudan before the war?
Before the war began in April 2023, Sudan was already in the grips of an extreme humanitarian crisis.
There was a military coup in 2021. After this, most international aid to Sudan was frozen. This led to an economic and food crisis.
When did Sudan split into two countries?
On 9 July 2011, South Sudan achieved independence from Sudan. It achieved an overwhelming 98.8% of voters supporting secession in a referendum held in January of that year.
Why did Sudan split into two countries?
Throughout much of the 20th century, British colonial authorities managed the northern and southern regions of Sudan as separate territories.
Just before Sudan gained its independence from British colonialism, the first Sudanese civil war (1955–72) broke out.
What do homes in Sudan look like?
Typically, homes are rectangular or square houses, with a flat roof made of clay, mud or brick.
Millions have fled their homes to attempt to seek safety.
Who is fighting who in Sudan?
Following the military coup, Sudan has been governed by a council of generals, primarily led by two figures:
- General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the armed forces and effectively the country’s president
- His deputy and leader of the RSF, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.
These two leaders have clashed over the country’s direction and the proposed transition to civilian rule.
