British Foreign Secretary warns Sudan is world’s ‘worst humanitarian catastrophe’
June 2, 2025 (MARRAKECH, Morocco) – British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Monday described the conflict in Sudan as “the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world,” lamenting a lack of global attention to the crisis, according to the AFP.
Speaking at an Africa-focused forum in Marrakech, Lammy underscored the urgent need for international action in a country ravaged by more than a year of fighting.
The war, which began in April 2023, pits the Sudanese army, led by de facto ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdane Dagalo.
“The crisis in Sudan […] is currently the worst humanitarian catastrophe in the world and it is extremely concerning,” Lammy said, responding to a question from Anglo-Sudanese businessman Mo Ibrahim, whose foundation organized the forum.
Lammy expressed frustration over the “ambivalence, ambiguity, and certainly a lack of visibility of this crisis on a global scale, and in much of the Western world.” He added that he decided early in his tenure to “draw attention” to the dire situation.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced some 13 million people, both internally and across borders. Sudan’s healthcare system has collapsed, infrastructure is in ruins, and famine has been officially declared in five areas, including three displacement camps in Darfur and parts of the Nuba mountain region.
Lammy’s comments echo concerns he raised at a meeting he hosted in London last April focused on Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.
That gathering brought together international partners, aid organizations, and regional stakeholders to discuss urgent humanitarian access, civilian protection, and pathways to de-escalation and peace.
During the London meeting, Lammy emphasized the critical need for increased funding for humanitarian aid and called for unimpeded access for aid organizations to reach those in need. He also reiterated the UK’s commitment to working with international partners to press for a durable ceasefire and a return to a civilian-led transitional government in Sudan.