Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on two years of conflict in Sudan

Two years into the conflict in Sudan, civilians continue to bear the brunt of this crisis.

The latest attack on Zamzam camp saw approximately 100 people killed, including aid workers who were running one of the camp’s last remaining health facilities. 

Sexual violence has scarred women and girls from the start of this crisis. A staggering 12 million people are at risk of gender-based violence – an 80 per cent increase since last year – while only one in four facilities set up to provide the clinical management of rape is functional. 

Over the past two years, attacks on hospitals and other health facilities have decimated the already struggling health system. Only 1 in 5 health facilities in areas that have experienced heavy fighting remain open, making childbirth life threatening for the estimated 1,000 displaced women who give birth every day. Malnutrition is also increasing the odds of pregnancy-related complications, particularly for those teetering on the brink of famine.

Since the beginning of the war in April 2023, UNFPA has worked with women-led organizations and other local partners to provide reproductive health and protection services to over 750,000 people, including through 71 mobile health teams and 64 women’s and girls’ safe spaces. This is despite tremendous logistical challenges.

Yet, recent funding cuts are jeopardizing progress, posing a catastrophic blow to an already underfunded humanitarian response operation. Funding cuts to UNFPA in Sudan will leave 475,000 women in Sudan and neighbouring countries without maternal health or gender-based violence services. UNFPA is appealing for $119.6 million to provide life-saving reproductive health and protection services this year in Sudan. Last year, our humanitarian response in the country was only 60 percent funded.

UNFPA calls for an end to this brutal war. In line with international humanitarian law, civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must be protected. Violence against women and girls must stop. Survivors must have access to medical and psychosocial support services, and those responsible must be held to account. Unhindered humanitarian aid must flow freely into and across Sudan by every route possible. 

The world must not turn its back on the women and girls of Sudan. 

UNFPA has strong local partnerships and is on the ground and ready to deliver. What we urgently need is global action, commitment and funding for the women and girls of Sudan.