CAIRO (AP) — More than two years have passed since Sudan plunged into a civil war that has caused what aid organizations have described as one of the world’s worst displacement and hunger crises.
The U.N.’s International Organization for Migration says as many as 12 million people have been forcibly displaced during the war, and more than 4 million sought refuge in neighboring countries.
The conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group continues largely in the vast Darfur and Kordofan regions. Some of the deadliest clashes have occurred in the capital, Khartoum, and surrounding areas, where the army has said it has regained control.
The war erupted in April 2023 in Khartoum before spreading across the country. Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities like ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial killings and sexual violence against civilians, including children. Meanwhile, many people across Sudan have been pushed to the brink of famine.
Here’s a look at the war by the numbers sourced from the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, health officials and human rights groups.
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Death and injury figures are often based on hospital records, but tracking those who never reach medical facilities is difficult. However, estimates by humanitarian organizations, health officials, and rights groups suggest that tens of thousands have been wounded in Sudan’s war.
A collapsing health care system and damaged infrastructure created a breeding ground for diseases spreading in Sudan, affecting the health and well-being of millions, including already vulnerable communities. The North African country faces outbreaks of diseases including cholera, measles and malaria, and UNICEF warned that thousands of children younger than age 5 are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition.
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Aside from the human toll, Sudan’s infrastructure has been badly hit. Once known as a country with agricultural wealth and the breadbasket of the world, Sudan saw the widescale ruin of farming land. Dozens of water and electricity facilities have been damaged, along with the presidential palace and ministry buildings.
More than 10 cultural sites, including the National Museum, have been attacked or destroyed, according to UNESCO. Many schools have been attacked or turned into shelters.
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On Friday, the IOM noted “pockets of relative safety” have emerged in recent months, prompting displaced people to return, mostly from Egypt and South Sudan, to their homes. U.N. officials expect returns will continue in coming months.
Multiple attempts at peace talks have been made, but none seem to be bringing the war to an end as the conflict expands elsewhere in the country.
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Associated Press correspondent Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Fatma Khaled, The Associated Press
