Islamic Relief is extremely concerned at the new escalation of violence in Sudan, which risks exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis. More than 15 million across Sudan people are already suffering from food shortages and rampant inflation.
We are calling for an immediate halt to the violence and for all sides to ensure that civilians are protected from harm.
Islamic Relief teams on the ground reported hearing heavy gunfire and smoke across the capital, Khartoum, throughout Saturday, and of fighting spreading to other areas.
Islamic Relief staff are all currently safe and monitoring the situation, are on standby to provide vital aid if the crisis escalates further. If the violence continues and spreads there is a high risk of large numbers of women, men and children being displaced from their homes. We call on the international community to be ready to respond to the crisis.
Sudan has one of the world’s highest rates of child malnutrition, with more than 3 million children malnourished and the number is increasing. Many families cannot afford regular food as the depreciation of the Sudanese currency, as well as the impact of the war in Ukraine and Sudan’s political crisis, has caused the price of food to skyrocket. Staple food such as sorghum and millet have risen by 700 percent in the last few years and are 60 percent higher than a year ago.
Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan since 1984, providing emergency aid and long-term development. We help communities get food and water, support health centres, and work to improve education, sustainable livelihoods and women’s rights. We currently work across the country, in Khartoum, Blue Nile, North and South Kordofan, Central and West Darfur, Kassala and Gedaref.