April 15 marks one year since the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan. An estimated 25 million people, representing more than half of Sudan, are in urgent need of assistance.
At least 18 million Sudanese face acute levels of hunger and the declaration of a famine is considered only a matter of time. The war has caused the largest internally displaced persons crisis in the world, with 6.5 million people forced to seek more stable places within the country, adding to the two million who have taken refuge outside. Around 65% of people do not have access to health care, says the Norwegian Council for Refugees. The international community has so far only funded around 6% of the UN response plan, says Mathilde Vuilde, of the Norwegian Refugee Council. The United States and the European Union have denounced the army's decision to prohibit humanitarian aid and prohibit its cross-border crossings, says Vuilde. The European Union has also criticized the army’s Decision to prohibit the cross- border crossings, which it says is a violation of human rights.