Since April 2023, while many countries have seen progress in development, recovery and climate action, Sudan has endured the opposite. The country’s security, health, environment and education systems have continued to collapse under the weight of an ongoing conflict that has now lasted nearly 1,000 days.
As humanitarian workers, we witness daily the suffering of communities trapped in besieged areas, where access is extremely limited. Aid convoys are delayed, blocked or even targeted, and unarmed civilians — particularly women and children — are increasingly caught in the crossfire.
Women and girls bear the heaviest burden. Their bodies have become battlefields in a war marked by widespread sexual and physical violence. Many children arrive alone at displacement shelters, separated from their families during long, dangerous journeys.
During a recent mission to Al-Aafad in Northern State, I met women and girls who had fled El Fasher. They shared harrowing stories: of watching their families killed, homes destroyed by shelling and lives shattered in a single night.
One woman told me she buried her children in the yard after they died of hunger. Another does not know the fate of her missing husband and son. A young girl said her education ended when the conflict began — and her sense of safety was lost after she was sexually assaulted while trying to flee. Another woman watched her sister die instantly during a shelling attack, leaving behind seven children.
These are not isolated accounts. They represent the daily reality for millions across Sudan. After nearly 1,000 days of conflict, the people of Sudan must not be forgotten. The scale of suffering demands sustained global attention, meaningful action and full accountability.
As a displaced Sudanese mother who knows the pain of raising children in conflict, I urge the international community — governments, donors, media and civil society — to act:
1. Keep Sudan on global political and humanitarian agendas.
2. Amplify the voices of Sudanese women, girls and communities whose stories are often left unheard.
3. Advocate for the protection of civilians — especially women and children — and demand accountability for violations of international humanitarian law.
4. Ensure sustained, flexible humanitarian funding to reach those in besieged and hard-to-access areas.
5. Support access and safety for humanitarian workers so they can deliver life-saving aid without obstruction.
After 1,000 days of war, our commitment remains strong. The needs are overwhelming. Resources are scarce. Funding is falling short. But giving up is not an option.
