Thousands flee escalating violence in central Sudan as humanitarian crisis deepens

Thousands of civilians have fled their homes in central Sudan amid renewed fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), adding to what the United Nations now describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes. The latest wave of displacement comes as violence intensifies across the Kordofan region, forcing families to seek safety in makeshift camps or neighboring towns.

The conflict, which erupted in 2023 after a power struggle between Sudan’s military and the RSF, has already displaced an estimated 14 million people and claimed more than 120,000 lives. Over the weekend, residents from several towns and villages in the Bara area of North Kordofan fled as heavy fighting broke out. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said at least 2,000 people were uprooted in just three days, many leaving behind homes, farms, and livestock.

Witnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction, with gunfire echoing through once peaceful communities. Local aid workers reported that entire families are traveling on foot or by donkey carts, carrying only what they can hold. Many are heading toward El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, where humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide basic assistance amid growing shortages of food and medical supplies.

The latest surge in violence follows disturbing reports from northern Darfur, where the RSF reportedly captured the city of El Fasher last week. Human rights organizations and UN officials have documented atrocities and possible war crimes against civilians, including summary executions and attacks on hospitals.

Kordofan and Darfur have now become major battlegrounds in a war that has devastated Sudan’s infrastructure and fractured its communities along ethnic and political lines. The ongoing clashes have hindered aid deliveries and cut off entire regions from humanitarian access. Relief groups warn that famine is looming in several provinces as crops fail and supply routes remain blocked.

In a statement from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV condemned the ongoing violence and called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors. The Pope urged both parties to return to dialogue and appealed to the international community to step up support for relief operations. “Every human life lost in this senseless conflict is a wound to humanity,” he said.

International aid agencies describe Sudan’s war as the largest humanitarian emergency in the world today. Millions face hunger, disease, and displacement as fighting continues to spread. With peace talks stalled and both sides digging in, hopes for a quick resolution remain dim. For the families now fleeing central Kordofan, survival has become the only focus in a war that shows no sign of ending.