Massive new displacement waves are being recorded as Sudan’s conflict intensifies and spreads deeper into its eastern regions – already suffering from hunger and famine conditions – worsening humanitarian situations there further. Aid agencies warn that the eastern advance of fighting compounds the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan where large parts of its population already face extreme food insecurity.

Reports indicate that thousands of civilians are fleeing eastward as clashes escalate between the country’s armed forces and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Some areas already plagued with hunger and widespread malnutrition have seen numerous civilians abandon them altogether, according to Arab News +3 and Reuters reports.
Recently, RSF’s reported capture of El Fashir city in North Darfur has precipitated an escalation in displacement. El Fashir had been under siege; once RSF entered, an estimated 600,000 people fled while hundreds of thousands still remained trapped inside it, according to The Washington Post (plus three).
Many travelers heading eastbound are making their way through Darfur region and on to neighboring states and camps.

Aid workers report that many migrants arriving on the move arrive in debilitated condition with food, water and medical supplies scarce; movements are especially prevalent in areas already declared to be facing famine conditions; according to WHO reports that more than 25 million Sudanese are food insecure with several regions already declared as or nearing famine conditions. (Reuters +2).
Aid agencies cited by Reuters reported cases in which children died of starvation before it became officially recognised as a famine crisis.
As refugees flee into already overburdened camps and host communities, resources are stretched thin. Some newly displaced individuals are opting to settle at spontaneous sites without adequate shelter or sanitation facilities – potentially increasing disease outbreak risk.

Humanitarian actors warn that access to the hardest-hit regions could deteriorate further unless access improves. Fighting in the east makes aid delivery extremely challenging due to blocked roads, insecure corridors and damaged infrastructure; according to an April analysis Sudan is experiencing “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis”, with millions displaced and hunger prevalent across its vast landscape.
The Guardian recently conducted research that confirmed this assessment.
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The eastward shift of conflict has serious ramifications. Areas which had until recently been spared of intense fighting are now coming under strain as combatants press into new territories, civilians being caught in their crosshairs and displacement flows suggesting people moving all directions seeking safety, food and shelter.

This deepening crisis comes at a time when international communities are struggling to respond effectively. Due to funding gaps, access challenges and fragmented operational terrain aid efforts are falling behind; according to UN reports this needs to change urgently to avoid further catastrophe.
AP News
Families arriving at host locations with little more than what they brought are facing long waits for registration, limited shelter options and insufficient water supplies, along with no guarantee of future assistance from local authorities or aid agencies. Malnutrition rates among new arrivals have reportedly increased and local officials and aid agencies are sounding the alarm over what lies ahead.

Sudanese civil conflict is not only continuing but expanding, extending into regions already depleted of food and other essential services by famine and systemic insecurity. Furthermore, thousands more fleeing fighting contribute to an already substantial humanitarian burden; without sustained and secure humanitarian access and more resources being mobilised the cost could become exponentially greater in coming days and weeks.