Sudan facing crisis ‘beyond imagination,’ UN humanitarian chief says

Sudan is facing a humanitarian crisis “beyond imagination,” according to Martin Griffiths, the UN’s undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, with 750,000 people at imminent risk of famine and conditions set to deteriorate further.

In an interview with The Guardian, Griffiths contrasted the intense media coverage and diplomatic focus on Gaza with the unfolding and largely overlooked human-made tragedy in Sudan.

Statistics released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification on Tuesday reveal that 495,000 Palestinians in Gaza are facing catastrophic conditions, characterized by an “extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities” over the next six months.

In Sudan, however, an estimated 755,262 people are facing similar “phase 5” catastrophic conditions, with an additional 8.5 million people in “phase 4” emergency conditions, marked by acute malnutrition, high disease levels, and a rapidly increasing risk of hunger-related deaths.

“These are staggering numbers. It’s beyond imagination,” Griffiths said. “I think historically it is a huge moment.”

Griffiths concurred with US officials’ estimates that, without improved access to humanitarian relief and increased international donations, the situation in Sudan could surpass the historic famine in Ethiopia, which resulted in the deaths of 1 million people between 1983 and 1985, according to UN estimates.

“Sudan is comparable in horror, in potential tragedy, if not worse. But it’s not moving in the right direction, and it’s not getting international attention on the level it should,” Griffith said.

“There was massive international attention (on the Ethiopian famine), and massive generosity … whereas in Sudan, partly because journalists aren’t given visas to get to places, it’s very difficult to get the story out.”

The 2024 Sudan humanitarian needs and response plan, launched late last year, called for $2.7 billion to address the crisis. However, as of this week, only 17 percent of the required funds had been raised, reflecting the average global response rate for humanitarian appeals.

“Tragically, it’s not that unusual these days,” he said. “It’s partly because the needs have grown, but the funding hasn’t.”

A critical issue in western Sudan’s Darfur region is the blockade of aid at the Adre crossing from Chad by Sudanese armed forces. Griffiths mentioned ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the blockade, potentially through an inspection regime to ensure no arms accompany the food aid. However, he cautioned that time is running out to prevent the worst-case scenarios.

“The worry is that we are not going to get the seeds in to do the planting season, and it’s going to get worse,” he said.

In Gaza, Griffiths noted that the number of Palestinians facing catastrophic famine had halved since March, when over a million people were at risk. He attributed the improvement to the influx of humanitarian aid in March and April, demonstrating that “aid works” and can swiftly rescue people from famine, starvation, and disease.

However, since the limited opening of crossings into Gaza in early spring, Israel’s offensive on Rafah has displaced over a million people into central Gaza, closed the main aid access point, and exacerbated gang violence and insecurity, now the primary obstacles to food distribution.

“We have now gone down to practically nothing,” Griffiths said.

While acknowledging the issues of criminality and mob looting in Gaza, Griffiths insisted that Israel, as the occupying power, remains responsible for ensuring the security of humanitarian aid deliveries.

“The Israelis have an obligation under international laws to provide security for humanitarian aid, so it’s not right to say they’re not the problem,” Griffiths said. “They are part of the process that is needed to ensure the security of humanitarian deliveries.”