The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has intensified dramatically, with escalating violence forcing tens of thousands of people to flee regions such as South Kordofan. This mass displacement is pushing the nation's already fragile health system to the brink of complete collapse, leaving doctors and health workers to contend with severe shortages, an overwhelming number of patients, and an increasing loss of life. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent plea to the international community, emphasizing that Sudan must not be ignored, as over 33.7 million people—more than half of the country's population—are in dire need of life-saving assistance.

A stark illustration of this crisis can be found at the El-Obeid Maternity Hospital in North Kordofan, which stands as the sole referral hospital in western Sudan. This facility is currently struggling to provide care for over 230,000 displaced individuals, a majority of whom are women and girls facing extreme vulnerability to sexual violence, hunger, and an almost complete absence of essential healthcare. Dr. Hasan Babikir shared a harrowing account of witnessing the tragic deaths of premature triplets, a direct consequence of the hospital's critical lack of intensive care beds. The hospital is plagued by severe deficiencies in vital supplies, including surgical and normal delivery equipment, antibiotics, surgical sutures, and gloves, compelling the medical staff to procure these necessities from local markets at exorbitant prices.

The precarious situation is further exacerbated by frequent drone attacks on the city of El-Obeid, which have repeatedly targeted health facilities, leading to fatalities and injuries among both health workers and patients. This disturbing pattern is part of a broader, nationwide assault on healthcare infrastructure. Recent documented incidents include a drone strike on Al-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur on March 20, which killed at least 64 people, including patients and medical personnel, and injured 89 others. Just days later, on April 2, another drone attack struck Al-Jabalain Hospital in White Nile State, resulting in the deaths of 10 medical and administrative staff, including the hospital’s director who was performing surgery, and leaving 22 injured. On the same day, the Family Hospital in Al-Daein was looted, its patients and health workers assaulted and expelled, forcing the facility to suspend its operations. Similarly, a hospital in Al-Kurmuk, Blue Nile State, was looted on March 25, with its equipment destroyed and staff and patients forcibly removed, leaving one worker critically injured.

The unfolding humanitarian crisis is concurrently driving a severe maternal and neonatal health emergency. Dr. Babikir noted that although a neonatal intensive care unit was established at El-Obeid Maternity Hospital in early 2026, it possesses only four beds, which are perpetually occupied, highlighting an urgent need for expansion. Maternal death rates are skyrocketing, attributed to prolonged waiting times and the fact that two essential emergency operating rooms are currently out of service. Midwife Laila Sarfo further pointed out that the lives of newborns are also at risk due to the absence of proper tables for their care and inadequate infection control equipment in the delivery rooms. In an effort to mitigate some of these formidable challenges, UNFPA has implemented a solar power system to address frequent outages, rehabilitated delivery rooms, and deployed trained health workers to bolster emergency obstetric and neonatal services.

Despite the immense pressure, health workers in Sudan remain commendably dedicated. Insaf, a senior midwife, explained that their salaries are insufficient for basic living expenses, often forcing them to use their own funds to purchase essential delivery supplies for impoverished women. Many midwives are undertaking grueling 24-hour shifts to meet the overwhelming demand, driven by an unwavering commitment to provide care amidst the escalating crisis.

Nearly three years of relentless civil war have pushed over 33 million Sudanese into severe humanitarian need. The conflict is characterized by horrific sexual violence, kidnappings, and child marriage, with survivors struggling to access any safe spaces or healthcare. In the densely populated Al Moaskar Al Mwahhad displacement camp in South Kordofan, UNFPA operates a mobile health clinic and a safe space dedicated to women and girls who are survivors or at risk of abuse. Salma, 50, who has sought refuge in the camp for eight months, articulated the profound toll of the conflict: "Women are exhausted from the war. Many crimes have been committed against women, including rape. Many women have been widowed. In this camp, the number of women who are still with their husbands can be counted on one hand." Sixteen-year-old Ismailia, displaced after a three-day journey, voiced a poignant hope shared by many: "I hope to return to my town and my school. Please allow us to rebuild our home and go back." To ensure the continuation of vital support for women and girls in 2026, UNFPA is urgently appealing for $129 million, of which only $33 million has been pledged to date, underscoring the critical need for increased international solidarity and decisive action to address this escalating crisis.