UN warns of “devastating” aid shortfall as Sudan crisis deepens
March 1, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – The United Nations faces a massive funding shortfall in its efforts to address Sudan’s spiralling humanitarian crisis, a senior official warned, highlighting the urgent need for international support to prevent widespread suffering.
“To date, the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) has received $252.6 million of the $4.2 billion required,” said Edmore Tondhlana, Deputy Head of Office in Sudan for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“While it is still early in the year, it is critical to begin scaling up the response across all crisis-affected areas, with a particular focus on those in acute need,” he told Sudan Tribune.
Tondhlana emphasized that “timely and increased funding is essential to ensure life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations without delay.” The HNRP, launched on February 17th, aims to assist and protect 21 million of Sudan’s most vulnerable people.
Sudan has been plunged into a deep humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict that has displaced over 12 million people, with more than 3.4 million fleeing to neighbouring countries. Over half of Sudan’s population, more than 24.6 million people, is now acutely food insecure, including 638,000 people classified as being in famine conditions.
“Reports indicate that famine conditions are spreading in North Darfur State and the eastern Nuba Mountains, while many other areas remain at serious risk,” Tondhlana said. He stressed the urgent need to “prioritize support for locations experiencing—or at risk of—famine, as well as areas where people are seeking safety or returning.”
The conflict has also taken a heavy toll on humanitarian workers. “Tragically, far too many humanitarian workers have lost their lives in the line of duty,” Tondhlana noted. “In less than two months of 2025, seven aid workers have been killed and another two wounded. Since the onset of the conflict, 86 humanitarian workers have been killed and another 48 wounded.” He called on all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian operations and cease attacks.
“International humanitarian law is clear—all parties to the conflict have both a legal and moral obligation to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
The crisis is disproportionately affecting women and children. According to OCHA, 15.6 million children and 7.4 million women urgently need humanitarian assistance. Tondhlana highlighted the “widespread abuses” faced by women and girls, including “horrific conflict-related sexual violence.” Additionally, over 17 million children have been deprived of education.
The looting of the humanitarian aid trucks is exacerbating the crisis. Tondhlana stated that the humanitarian community is closely monitoring the situation.
The suspension of activities in Zamzam camp from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has severely affected the population.
The UN calls for a comprehensive and coordinated response, encompassing access to clean water, medicine, food, nutrition treatment, protection services, and education, to address the multiple crises unfolding in Sudan.