March 12, 2025 – Sudan’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis is deepening, with over 30.4 million people, a staggering 64% of the population, in desperate need of aid. After nearly two years of relentless conflict, economic decline, rising displacement, and disease outbreaks—along with famine in several parts of the nation—the situation is further worsened now by a sharp decline in humanitarian funding. As of 12th March, only 6.2% of commitments made by international donors to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan had been met. Now, as funding declines, life-saving programs—such as community kitchens feeding displaced children—are shutting down, pushing already vulnerable families deeper into hunger and despair.
In many parts of Sudan, access to food has become nearly impossible. Families in displacement camps rely on humanitarian aid to survive, but critical programs are being forced to close as funding dwindles due to aid cuts. Amina*, a women’s group leader supporting internally displaced people (IDPs) in Kassala, East Sudan, highlighted the critical role of women’s voluntary groups in providing essential aid. “With the support we received, we were able to offer vital health services, clean water, latrines, and other basic necessities that protect human dignity. These services were a lifeline for many women and children,” she explained. “However, the loss of this funding has left a significant gap that the groups are struggling to fill. We are not sure how to support these vulnerable communities. We hope that assistance will resume soon,” Amina added.
Sudan has the world’s largest internal displacement crisis as 11.5 million people, including 8.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), have forcibly fled from their homes. Over 1 million have fled to neighboring Chad. Sudan is also experiencing a catastrophic food security crisis, with 26 million people experiencing acute hunger. In fact, last December the IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) announced that famine has been detected “in at least five areas of Sudan, and projects that five additional areas will face Famine between December 2024 and May 2025.”
“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe unfold,” said Abdi Rahman Ali, CARE Sudan Country Director. “The scale of suffering is unimaginable. Millions face starvation, disease, and violence, as the critical humanitarian aid lifeline is severed at the very moment it’s most needed. The world cannot turn a blind eye as Sudan descends into utter further despair. A large-scale, coordinated response is needed to address needs in the health, food, protection, and shelter sectors to avert a further catastrophe.”
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is compounded by cholera and measles outbreaks. Less than 25% of health facilities remain functional in the hardest-hit areas, and vaccination rates have plummeted. Over 17 million children are out of school, creating a lost generation that faces heightened risks of child marriage, exploitation, and loss of potential.
“The international community must act now and meet this moment,” said Ali. “The world must pay attention before it’s too late. Communities desperately need the fighting to stop so they can find peace in their homeland. Humanitarian organizations cannot meet the most urgent needs unless donors and countries honor their commitments. Safe and unimpeded access for aid workers must be guaranteed to prevent further suffering. If the world turns away now, countless lives will be lost—and by then, it will be too late.”
CARE, alongside its local partners and other humanitarian organizations, is working tirelessly to provide food, water, shelter, and protection to those in need. But without immediate sufficient funding and unrestricted humanitarian access, millions will continue to suffer.
*Name changed to protect identity
For media inquiries, email usa.media@care.org, or contact David Mutua, CARE East Central, & Southern Africa Regional Communications Advisor, david.mutua@care.org