As Sudan conflict enters third year, catastrophic levels of hunger and violence place millions at risk of trauma and death, warns World Vision

PORT SUDAN (April 11, 2025) – As Sudan enters its third year of devastating conflict, global Christian humanitarian organization World Vision warns that 600,000 people face death within days or weeks without urgent action.

More than 30 million people across Sudan — over half the population — now need humanitarian assistance, with escalating hunger, sexual violence, and mental health needs creating one of the world’s most severe — and most neglected — humanitarian emergencies. With the forced displacement of nearly 15 million people across the region, Sudan is the world’s largest child displacement crisis, as well as its largest hunger crisis.

“Sudan is now facing a perfect storm of hunger, violence, and trauma,” said Simon Mane, World Vision’s national director in Sudan. “Children are facing acute malnutrition, families are being torn apart, cholera cases are rising in White Nile putting 292,000 children at risk — yet the world remains largely silent. There is simply not enough aid to feed the vulnerable people,” he said.

“Meanwhile only 6.3% of the original $4.2 billion needed to support those in desperate need this year has come in. Funding cuts have now reduced the response appeal ask to $2.4 billion. The cuts, unless reversed, will cost children’s lives and mean many millions go without food and vital services and will face death and deprivation.”

While the recent security improvements in parts of Khartoum offer a new opportunity to scale up humanitarian operations, World Vision is warning that unless this moment is seized, acute food insecurity could spread rapidly across multiple regions. In addition, the number of people to be targeted for aid support in Sudan has been slashed to 17.3 million from 20.9 million due to funding shortfalls.

“We need to do everything we can to get lifesaving aid to children who are on the brink of death from acute food insecurity,” Mane said. “These are preventable deaths, but not enough is being done. Without immediate action, we are staring down an acute food insecurity crisis that could rival the worst in modern history.”

A World Vision report titled “Unprecedented, the crisis for children and families in Sudan” reveals the devastating impact this conflict is having on the population. The report found that up to 65% of women in Sudan may now be facing sexual violence, based on patterns seen in similar conflict zones, while 6.1 million people are at risk of severe mental health impacts from the trauma of conflict, hunger, and displacement. A staggering 15.7 million children and adults face heightened risk of mental illness — a crisis that will endure long after the fighting stops.

“Women and girls in Sudan are facing an unimaginable nightmare,” said Phiona Koyiet, a World Vision senior technical advisor. “Sexual violence is being used on women, while children are enduring levels of trauma that will scar a generation. While the world focuses on other important crises around the world, I fear that Sudan is being forgotten. We must not let this continue to happen.”

World Vision is calling on the international community to prioritize funding for food, protection programs, mental health services, education access, and resilience and peace-building support.

“Thousands of lives will be affected if the international community does not intervene,” Mane said. “We also need full and safe humanitarian access across conflict lines so we can get essential aid to where it is needed most.”

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.