Fighting erupted in Khartoum on April 15 due to a culmination of weeks of tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). In 2021, they jointly orchestrated a military coup that dissolved Sudan's power-sharing government and derailed its short-lived transition to democracy, following the ousting of a long-time dictator in 2019.

According to a 2023 report by UNOCHA, the ongoing conflict has created a situation where approximately half of the Sudanese population, 24.7 million, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, such as healthcare, shelter, clean water, psychosocial support, and essential relief supplies.

The Sudanese diaspora unites in times of crisis

The far-reaching impact of the conflict goes way beyond the borders of Sudan, but also affects the Sudanese Diaspora around the world. Around 1.7 million Sudanese live outside of Sudan and are part of the diaspora. With their loved ones left behind, they feel emotionally connected to the conflict.

They contribute towards dealing with the effects of the conflict, both in their country of residence and heritage. For example, Sudan NextGen, a Sudanese diaspora organization in the U.S, organized an emergency campaign during the escalation of the conflict and raised over $89,000. With that they provided medical supplies, food baskets, and shelter camps to support women, children and men affected.

Furthermore, the Sudanese diaspora led social media campaigns, using hashtags such as #KeepEyesOnSudan, #sudanupdates, and #saynotowar to disseminate vital information and organize fundraisers for humanitarian aid to Sudanese individuals affected by the conflict, including internally displaced, crossing borders, or searching for refuge in a third national country.

Since the late 1980s, Sudanese diaspora members reside in different parts of the world. For so long they have been actively supporting their home country and communities in Sudan with economic, social and humanitarian means. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sudan Doctors Union based in the United Kingdom, effectively organized themselves and raised funds to purchase oxygen cylinders and personal protective equipment (PPE) which were shipped to Sudan during the pandemic.

The current Situation in Sudan

Sudan is the third largest country in Africa, with a population of over 45 million people. It shares borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, and Central African Republic, with all of them now receiving refugees from Sudan.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center in June 2023, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has surpassed 2.2 million since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. This alarming statistic sheds light on the severity of the situation in Sudan.

Diaspora organizations face numerous obstacles to deliver aid, including restricted access to affected communities and limited funding, making it a real struggle to provide the much-needed assistance. The situation demands serious attention and support from all sides to alleviate the suffering of those caught amid the turmoil.

The current Situation in Sudan

Sudan is the third largest country in Africa, with a population of over 45 million people. It shares borders with Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad, and Central African Republic, with all of them now receiving refugees from Sudan.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center in June 2023, the number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has surpassed 2.2 million since the onset of the conflict in April 2023. 

Diaspora organizations face numerous obstacles to deliver aid, including restricted access to affected communities and limited funding, making it a real struggle to provide the much-needed assistance. The situation demands serious attention and support from all sides to alleviate the suffering of those caught amid the turmoil.