What's happened
For the third consecutive year, Sudan leads the IRC's list of the 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian emergencies, driven by ongoing conflict since April 2023 that has displaced over 12 million people amid resource shortages and violence.
What's behind the headline?
The persistent ranking of Sudan at the top of the IRC's crisis list underscores a failure of international response and a worsening global disorder. The conflict's prolongation is fueled by regional backers, with accusations against the United Arab Emirates supporting the RSF, and international vetoes hampering peace efforts. The crisis exemplifies how geopolitical rivalries and stalled diplomacy exacerbate humanitarian suffering. The displacement and violence are likely to intensify unless urgent, coordinated action is taken. The broader context reveals a world where aid funding has halved despite surging needs, and geopolitical interests continue to obstruct effective intervention. This situation will likely worsen, with displacement and violence becoming more entrenched, unless global actors prioritize peace and resource allocation.
What the papers say
The New Arab, Al Jazeera, Arab News, and Reuters all highlight Sudan's ongoing crisis, emphasizing the regional and international factors at play. The New Arab and Reuters focus on the displacement figures and the regional backing of the conflict, while Al Jazeera and Arab News provide context on the conflict's origins and current humanitarian impact. All sources agree that the crisis is worsening, with limited prospects for immediate resolution, driven by geopolitical interests and funding shortfalls. The Reuters article notably emphasizes the role of international vetoes and regional backers, while Al Jazeera discusses the broader implications of global disorder and the risk of 2026 becoming the most dangerous year yet.
How we got here
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, stemming from a power struggle between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, disrupting the planned transition to civilian rule. This has resulted in the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 12 million displaced and limited resources for aid amid ongoing violence and economic instability.
Go deeper
Common question
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Which Countries Are Facing the Worst Humanitarian Crises in 2025?
In 2025, several countries are experiencing severe humanitarian crises driven by conflict, political instability, and funding shortages. Despite their small populations, nations like Sudan and Gaza are among the most affected, accounting for the majority of global humanitarian needs. Curious about which countries are most impacted and why? Keep reading to understand the current global crisis and what might lie ahead in 2026.
More on these topics
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 as the International Relief Association, at the request of Albert Einstein, and changing its name in 1942 after amalgama
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David Wright Miliband is the president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee and a former British Labour Party politician.
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an