A conflict now stretching beyond 1,000 days has plunged Sudan deeper into humanitarian crisis, with women, civilians and aid workers facing widespread violence, displacement and severe shortages of care.
Pregnant Women Caught in the Crossfire
Nadra Ahmed was seven months pregnant when she was forced to walk nearly 25 miles under armed guard and beaten by a member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the Associated Press. She is one of more than 140 pregnant women sheltering at an aid camp in northern Sudan, many of whom fled active fighting between the RSF and Sudan’s military.
Their stories reflect countless others that remain largely undocumented, as access to conflict zones and reliable information has been severely restricted.
War Enters Its Fourth Year
The power struggle between Sudan’s military and the RSF began in 2023 and has devastated much of the country, particularly the Darfur region, now largely under RSF control. In October 2025, videos surfaced showing mass killings in Darfur, prompting the U.S. government to accuse the RSF of committing genocide while alleging war crimes by both sides.
Civilians remain trapped between the warring forces, facing hunger, violence and displacement on a massive scale.
Aid Workers Under Threat
Humanitarian workers are also struggling to survive. Aid workers speaking to ABC News through a partnership with Women for Women International described fleeing violence with no choice but to abandon medical equipment and personal belongings.
Hiba, a 26-year-old aid worker with the Sudan Family Planning Association, helps run a mobile clinic offering reproductive health care and services for survivors of gender-based violence. Speaking anonymously for safety reasons, she said the need far exceeds available support.
“The needs in the camp are growing every day,” Hiba said. “We need not just basic assistance, but real opportunities to heal, grow and rise again.”
Hospitals Running on Empty
Dr. Tom Catena, medical director of Mother of Mercy Hospital in the Nuba Mountains, said the crisis is ultimately a funding issue. The hospital, which serves a population of more than 3 million people, was already under-resourced before the war began.
“Without funding, you can’t do anything,” Catena said. “You can be the best doctor in the world and you’re totally useless without it.”
Targeted Attacks Deepen Despair
In a video diary sent to ABC News in December 2025, Catena described a recent drone strike near the hospital that killed about 40 people. He said attacks on medical facilities are devastating for already traumatized communities.
“If you target a hospital, imagine the demoralizing effect that has on people,” Catena said. “You give up.”
As the conflict grinds on, aid workers warn that without increased international support, Sudan’s civilians — especially women and children — will continue to pay the highest price.
For more on this tragic story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.