Following the 2019 crisis in Sudan, a coup carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to suppress the pro-democracy movement led to a significant change in the country’s political landscape. The transitional government established after the coup faced a number of challenges, including political instability. Another coup took place in 2021, further exacerbating tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), exacerbating Sudan’s political turmoil and setting the stage for the civil war that began in 2023.
On April 15, 2023, fighting broke out as a result of tensions between the RSF and the SAF. The fighting, which intensified first in Khartoum and then in other cities, resulted in the displacement of up to 11 million people in Sudan. As the humanitarian situation worsened, the United Nations reported that more than half of Sudan was in need of humanitarian assistance. As the conflict escalated, the UN and other humanitarian organizations made efforts to send aid to Sudan, but security problems made it difficult for aid to reach Sudan.
Civil war, poverty, and hunger make life even more difficult for the people of Sudan. While the United Nations has declared that there is a famine in Sudan, the Sudanese Minister of Agriculture has stated that there is absolutely no famine. In addition, drought and flooding in some areas have exacerbated the humanitarian situation in Sudan, seriously affecting the food security and living standards of the population.
Clashes between the two armed forces have resulted in high civilian casualties and are considered a violation of human rights. Women face serious security challenges in these conflicts and are often subjected to sexual violence, exploitation and abuse in violation of their human rights. These women are unable to speak out about their trauma for fear of social stigma.
At the same time, 1.63 million women in Sudan lack access to health care, 54,000 of whom are pregnant and have difficulty accessing hygiene supplies. The United Nations has called for urgent action to protect women and girls in Sudan and to address food insecurity and access to clean water. The UN wants to see an end to the conflict, but calls for a ceasefire are reportedly dwindling by the day.
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