Updated: 23 October 2025 18:55:37
Six Demands by UN Agencies to Address the Sudan Crisis
moatinoon
Four United Nations agencies have urged the international community to give urgent attention to the crisis in Sudan, where civilians are enduring immense suffering, widespread human rights violations, famine, and the collapse of essential public services.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) called on the warring parties and the international community to immediately cease hostilities, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, simplify relief delivery procedures and the movement of aid workers, provide emergency funding to expand life-saving operations, and support sustainable solutions for displaced persons and refugees inside Sudan.
The IOM highlighted the collapse of services and the spread of diseases among the population.
“I witnessed firsthand how outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, and malaria are increasing the urgent need to invest in clean water, healthcare, and basic services so people can begin to rebuild their lives,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General, following her visit to Khartoum.
The UNHCR described an unprecedented protection crisis for displaced persons and refugees. Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements warned of rising xenophobia and emphasized the need to maintain protection for refugees.
UNICEF confirmed that children in Sudan are left without education or food. Ted Chaiban, UNICEF’s Deputy Executive Director, stated that 14 out of 17 million children in Sudan are out of school, while famine and disease threaten the lives of thousands.
The WFP warned of looming famine and declining funding, noting that the agencies have received only 25% of the required 4.2 billion for 2025, jeopardizing the continuation of humanitarian operations.
The statement also noted that access to populations in need remains severely restricted due to insecurity and bureaucratic obstacles faced by aid workers. It added that humanitarian personnel are confronting “insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles, and logistical challenges that make the delivery of life-saving assistance extremely difficult,” underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international action.
