

On April 15, 2023, Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, experienced armed clashes. This was after days of heightened tension concerning a proposed transition to democracy.
The safety and protection of the people has declined, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including the deaths of 18 health and humanitarian workers. Armed attacks have also spread to other cities, including Nyala in South Darfur state.
Thousands of civilians are trapped in their homes due to the fighting. They have no electricity and are unable to venture out. They are worried about economic hardship, running out of food, drinking water, and medicine.
Many people in Sudan were already facing hunger daily as a result of climate shocks, rising food prices, and political unrest. The ongoing conflict and recent surge in violence have affected people in numerous ways, including:
Following the temporary suspension of our field operations in Sudan on Sunday 16 April 2023, World Vision launched a multi-country emergency response on 2nd May 2023. The declaration was based on the severity of the situation inside Sudan, its impact on neighbouring countries and the projected and protracted nature of humanitarian needs. Our efforts will be focused on affected populations in Sudan as well as those that have fled into Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
World Vision is one of the largest humanitarian aid organizations active in Sudan, having worked there for nearly four decades. In the past year alone, our work impacted over 1.5 million people, majority of whom were women and children. Our interventions included providing essential aid such as food, clean water, child protection, health and nutrition, and sanitation and hygiene programs. Other areas of operation included:
World Vision therefore remains committed to resuming our work in Sudan. Our staff, all of whom are affected by the conflict themselves, are eager to return to serving the most vulnerable children and families as soon as the security situation permits.
On April 15, 2023, armed clashes broke out in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, following days of increased tension regarding a proposed transition to democratic governance. The security situation has deteriorated, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including three World Food Programme (WFP) workers. Armed attacks have also spread to other cities, including Nyala in South Darfur state.
“Thousands upon thousands of civilians are trapped in their homes, shielding from the fighting, with no electricity, unable to venture out and worried about running out of food, drinking water and medicine,” said U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
Many people in Sudan were already facing hunger daily as a result of climate shocks, rising food prices, and political unrest. The ongoing conflict and recent surge in violence have affected people in numerous ways, including:
Over 3 million children in Sudan are acutely malnourished and face a severe health crisis, contributing to one of the world’s highest malnutrition rates. The situation is worsening as most regions in Sudan are experiencing restricted access to critical resources such as food, water, and sanitation and hygiene resources.
“Sudan is experiencing the highest humanitarian caseload in over a decade, with nearly 16 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. The escalating violence is only making the situation worse,” said Emmanuel Isch, director of World Vision in Sudan. “We join humanitarian partners in calling for an immediate end to the violence. Every child deserves a safe and protected childhood without the fear of violence, crossfire, and trauma.”
World Vision has joined other humanitarian agencies in calling for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly children.
“It is essential that peace is urgently restored if children who are malnourished and face starvation are not to experience deep suffering that could cut short their lives,” added Emmanuel. “[Children] under 5 are especially at risk. Without peace we cannot deliver food assistance and nutrition support to extremely vulnerable girls and boys and their communities.”
When disasters happen, whether natural or manmade, we want children to have access to food, clean water, and shelter. Even in some of the world’s most hostile environments, we have hope for recovery.