Crisis in Sudan: Understanding the Situation and Knowing Where to Donate

The crisis in Sudan is one of the least covered by the media, yet it is one of the most severe globally. Since the outbreak of fighting in April 2023, the country has descended into a spiral of violence, displacement, and deprivation, which the UN officially describes as the world's worst humanitarian and displacement crisis.

This guide explains what is happening, why it's so serious, and how you can make a tangible contribution from France.

What is the situation in Sudan in 2026?

The conflict has pitted the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 15, 2023. In January 2026, the country crossed the 1,000-day mark of war with no lasting ceasefire in sight.

The fall of El Fasher in late October 2025 marked a particularly dark turning point. After more than 500 days of siege, the RSF seized the last government stronghold in North Darfur. Hundreds of thousands of civilians fled. Testimonies collected by the UN report executions targeting non-Arab communities, mass rapes, and disappearances.

The Crisis in Numbers

According to data published by OCHA to mark 1,000 days of war (January 2026):

For 2026, OCHA aims to assist 20 million people, with an estimated budget of $2.9 billion. In 2025, only 36% of the $4.2 billion requested had been funded by international donors.

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Image : photo of displaced families in a camp in Darfur, Sudan — alt : "Familles déplacées Darfour Soudan camp humanitaire 2026"

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Why does this crisis remain so overlooked?

Sudan suffers from a glaring lack of media attention. Yet, the scale of the crisis surpasses many others that regularly make headlines.

Several factors explain this invisibility: journalists' access is severely restricted by both parties to the conflict, humanitarian aid delivery is also blocked, and visas are granted sparingly. According to Human Rights Watch's 2026 World Report, as of May 2025, only 110 visas for the UN and international NGOs had been granted out of 355 pending applications.

This lack of visibility has a direct consequence: underfunding. Less media coverage means fewer donations and less aid on the ground.

How Life ONG Operates in Sudan

Life ONG operates in Sudan amidst extremely constrained access. Its programs focus on the most urgent needs, identified with its local partners:

• Emergency food distribution : food parcels for displaced families in accessible areas
• Access to drinking water : support for water points in displacement camps
• Emergency kits : hygiene, shelter, blankets for homeless families
• Support for basic healthcare : contribution to the operation of medical facilities still operational

The security situation and access restrictions require significant operational flexibility. Life works with networks of local partners present in areas where international access is impossible.

To follow Life's operations in Sudan, visit life-ong.org/urgences/soudan. The donor relations team is available to provide you with detailed information on ongoing programs.

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Image : photo of a Life NGO food distribution in a conflict zone — alt : "Life NGO food distribution conflict zone emergency aid Sudan"

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Why donate to Sudan now?

The Sudanese crisis is structurally underfunded. In 2025, less than a third of the requested funds have been mobilized. This deficit has direct consequences: closure of food kitchens, suspension of health programs, disruption of distributions.

Donating now allows Life to maintain its operations during a period when institutional funding is decreasing. It also means acting without waiting for the crisis to make TV headlines again.

To understand the impact of regular donations for an NGO, our article Recurring vs. One-Time Donations: What's the Impact for an Organization? explains everything. And to ensure Life ONG is a reputable organization before donating, our guide Donating to an NGO: 5 Criteria for Choosing a Reputable Organization provides you with a comprehensive method.

Do you also want to understand what populations displaced by this conflict are experiencing? Our article Internally Displaced Persons vs. Refugees: Understanding the Difference and Taking Action provides useful insight.

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Image : infographic showing the gap between requested and received funding for Sudan in 2025 — alt : "Sudan humanitarian funding deficit 36 percent OCHA 2025"

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