Three years on: As Sudan’s war drives the world’s largest displacement crisis, Australians urged to stand with those forced to flee
Australia for UNHCR is calling for sustained support as Sudan marks three years since the outbreak of war, with millions still displaced and no end to the conflict in sight.
“The scale of suffering in Sudan is staggering. This is the world’s largest displacement crisis, yet it is not receiving the attention or funding it demands,” said Australia for UNHCR Acting CEO, Catherine Harding.
Since April 2023, some 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes. Around nine million remain displaced within Sudan, while 4.4 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries. Today, one in four Sudanese is displaced.
Fighting continues across large parts of the country, with air bombardments and drones driving further displacement. Civilians face grave risks, including violence, abduction and widespread human rights violations as they attempt to reach safety.
Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, while the collapse of essential services has left many without access to support.
Millions of children have spent three years displaced, with little or no access to education. More than 58,000 have fled alone across borders, separated from their families and often deeply traumatised.
Neighbouring countries hosting Sudanese refugees, including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan, are under immense strain. With limited resources and dwindling humanitarian assistance, many displaced families face impossible choices about how to survive.
“Behind these numbers are people who have lost almost everything, yet continue to show extraordinary resilience,” said Ms Harding. “But resilience has its limits. Without urgent action, millions more lives will be at risk.”
Across Sudan and the region, UNHCR is delivering life-saving support, including emergency shelter, clean water, healthcare and cash assistance to help families survive and begin to rebuild.
Despite the scale of need, humanitarian funding remains critically low. UNHCR and its partners have received just a fraction of the resources required to respond, forcing difficult decisions about which life-saving services can continue.
“Three years on, families are still being forced to flee their homes, often multiple times, in search of safety that remains just out of reach,” said Ms Harding.
“As this devastating conflict enters its fourth year, Australians can help ensure families are not left without protection, support or hope.”
ENDS
If you are covering this story, please encourage people to donate via: www.unrefugees.org.au
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Kelsey Taylor | Senior Media & Communications Manager, Australia for UNHCR
ktaylor@unrefugees.org.au | +61 450 322 320