The conflict in Sudan has been called the “forgotten war” for good reason. Although The International Rescue Committee called it “the largest humanitarian crisis ever recorded,” the country remains one of the most neglected global emergencies for aid.

In 2023, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) calculated that Sudan received less than half of the $2.6bn requested funding.

For comparison, Ukraine received 73% of the $3.9bn in humanitarian aid it requested, while Gaza got 100% of its $376mn request.

The situation on the ground in Sudan is dire. Some 13 million people have fled their homes since fighting broke out in 2023, with four million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Hunger has become so widespread that roughly half of the country’s 50 million inhabitants (equivalent to the entire population of Australia) is facing food insecurity. Last year, half a million died from starvation, most of them women and children.

It’s difficult to overstate how devastating the USAID cut will be for Sudan

The situation has been made worse by the freezing of US humanitarian aid. Last year, USAID contributed 44% of the assistance pouring into the country, but since cuts to the aid agency’s budget, 80% of community kitchens have closed, leaving millions without reliable access to food. Cuts to local aid workers’ salaries have also had devasting effects on hunger, as each salary supported dozens of struggling households.

As Kholood Khair, founder of Sudanese thinktank Confluence Advisory, recently told journalists: “It’s difficult to overstate how devastating the USAID cut will be for Sudan, not just because Sudan is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, but also because the US was Sudan’s largest humanitarian donor.”

So who fills the gap?

Last month, the UN made an appeal for $4.2bn in domestic aid in Sudan, with an additional $1.8 bn needed to support refugees in neighbouring countries. Some Western nations are stepping up to the plate: the UK government has pledged £112mn in life-saving famine relief, and the European Union another £443mn. But even with those pledges, not enough is flowing to those most in need.

Philippa Cornish, head of client experience at The Charities Aid Foundation, says that in most crises the best way to give effectively is to donate to local charities so aid can reach those in need swiftly.

But sanctions against Sudan make that difficult, and Cornish suggests that donations to international organisations can be just as effective.

“Large INGOs have partners and a presence on the ground in conflict zones, so when you give to them you are still ‘giving locally’,” she says, “It’s just that you are doing it in a way that is safe, straight forward, and doesn’t breach sanctions.”

INGOs can support those in crisis is through direct cash donations, which is frequently the most effective way to help individuals, she says.

“Giving cash is crucial times of crisis. In a fast-moving situation, cash enables people living through it to decide how they spend the money, whether that be on things like food or shelter…Many large INGOs will have cash programmes and have years of experience working in these situations.”

Although some donors might feel hesitant to give to charities that provide cash assistance, The Norwegian Refugee Council counters that cash can reach more people compared to traditional “in-kind” assistance, whereby food and other supplies are physically handed out. Studies have shown that unrestricted cash support boosts local economies, generating two dollars for every dollar distributed.

Despite significant challenges, humanitarian agencies have continued delivering lifesaving assistance to the most vulnerable communities. Since the onset of the conflict, the World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food and nutritional support to over 13 million people. The WHO has reached more than one million individuals with essential health services, treated 75,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition, and supported the vaccination of 11.5 million children against polio and measles.

However, aid workers are sounding the alarm as conditions continue to worsen – especially in Darfur and parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazirah (also known as Gezira) – where ongoing fighting and blockades are preventing civilians from receiving critical aid.

Bling

​One of the main drivers of Sudan’s conflict is found in western city high streets.

Gold is playing a pivotal role in sustaining the civil war, as both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) exploit the country’s vast gold resources to fund their military campaigns. The SAF, controlling major mining regions, produced 64 tonnes of gold in 2024, generating over $1.5bn.

Meanwhile, the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, controls artisanal mining areas in Darfur and Kordofan. This gold is smuggled via Chad and South Sudan to the UAE, bypassing official channels.​

Buying ethically sourced gold can contribute to peace in Sudan by reducing the demand for conflict gold. In the UK, consumers can look for certifications like Fairtrade Gold or Fairmined which guarantee the gold is sourced from conflict-free zones and ensures safe working conditions for miners and environmental protections. Supporting ethical gold is a small but powerful step toward ending war and promoting lasting peace.

The only way to alleviate the suffering in Sudan is by ending the conflict so that refugees can return home and resume their lives. Organisations such as The International Crisis Group have called on the EU and Turkey to urge Egypt and the UAE to pressure their allies into negotiations, increase humanitarian aid, and back regional efforts for a civilian-led future.

In the meantime, individuals can support Sudan by donating to reputable humanitarian organizations providing emergency cash assistance, food, and medical care to those affected by the ongoing crisis.

Equally crucial to aid is raised awareness. According to The Economist, media attention on Sudan peaked at the start of the conflict in April 2023 with 7,000 news articles published in 70 countries. As of May 2024, both Gaza and Ukraine received more than 100,000 news article each. “Forgotten” wars are rarely ended with urgency. The fastest way to make the suffering stop is by making people know it’s happening.