Back in April 2023, fighting broke out in Sudan’s capital city Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Some commentators have described the conflict as a “battle of egos” between the two factions’ leaders: SAF leader Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (commonly known as Hemedti).

Conservative estimates say the conflict has killed more than 20,000 people and injured more than 33,000 others. Before the violence erupted, Sudan was already in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis, with political turmoil and economic issues leaving around 15.8 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Today, 30.4 million people — more than half of Sudan’s population — have found themselves in need of aid. More than 11 million people have been forced from their homes, with over 8.1 million people remaining within Sudan, making the situation the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Earlier this week the United States formally declared that the RSF has committed genocide during the ongoing civil war. While the RSF and SAF have both been accused of committing war crimes, US secretary of state Anthony Blinken pointed to evidence of systematic ethnic violence in which the RSF had killed fleeing civilians and blocked access to essential supplies. In a statement, he said that the RSF and allied militias were responsible for the murder of “men and boys – even infants” and brutal sexual violence against women on ethnic grounds.

If you’re keen to help the people of Sudan, here are some organisations you can donate to and support.

THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is distributing essentials like food, water, sanitation and health care programmes to vulnerable children and families in Sudan. The IRC is also supporting the 3 million asylum seekers who have sought refuge in countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad.

You can donate to the IRC Sudan Crisis Appeal here.

UNICEF

Since the conflict broke out in Sudan, UNICEF has rolled out malaria vaccines to more than 148,000 children for the first time in the country; reached 8.1 million children and families with safe drinking water; provided malnutrition screening to 4.8 million children; delivered counselling, education and protection services to almost 2.5 million children and caregivers; supported 77,700 children, mothers and families with money, information and other critical services.

You can help UNICEF help more children by donating to their Sudan Appeal here.

ISLAMIC RELIEF

Islamic Relief is working tirelessly to provide Sudanese people and families with essentials such as shelter and water. Since April 2023, Islamic Relief has delivered vital aid to more than 1 million people in Sudan, including distributing food and money, supporting health facilities and providing hygiene and dignity kits. 

You can donate to Islamic Relief here.

THE UN REFUGEE AGENCY

The UN Refugee Agency has teams in Sudan and neighbouring countries (Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Central African Republic) who are working to provide core relief items and life-saving support for the most vulnerable Sudanese refugees, including cash assistance to help them afford shelter, food and medicine.

You can donate to the UN Refugee Agency here.

UN WOMEN

The continued conflict in Sudan is disproportionately impacting the lives of Sudanese women and girls (90 per cent of Sudanese refugees are women and children in need). At least 4 million children and pregnant and lactating women currently in Sudan are severely malnourished. UN Women is working to provide dignity kits, psychosocial support, trauma assistance, and emergency cash assistance to women in Sudan. 

You can donate to UN Women’s Sudan Appeal here.