While global attention remains fixated on crises in Gaza and Ukraine, Sudan quietly grapples with a devastating civil war that has ravaged the nation for over a year, plunging its 49 million inhabitants into an abyss of suffering. With a third of the population battling food insecurity and an alarming 5 million teetering on the brink of famine, Sudan stands on the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe that demands urgent action.

Disturbing reports from the ground paint a grim picture of desperation as civilians resort to consuming whatever meager sustenance they can scavenge to survive. From foraging mango leaves to consuming cats and even soil, Sudanese families are enduring unimaginable hardships as they navigate the harsh realities of conflict-induced famine.

The conflict, pitting a military junta against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has exacerbated the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire. Both factions, driven by self-interest, have further compounded the crisis by looting aid shipments and exploiting humanitarian assistance for personal gain. Despite assurances from the junta of ample food production, the grim reality on the ground tells a different story, with reports of malnutrition-related deaths among children emerging at an alarming rate.

As the international community grapples with the enormity of Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, the situation continues to deteriorate with each passing day. The month of May heralds the onset of the lean season, exacerbating food shortages and intensifying the risk of starvation for millions of Sudanese. A report by a Netherlands-based think tank paints a dire prognosis, warning of catastrophic hunger scenarios that could afflict up to 40% of Sudan’s population if decisive action is not taken.

Amidst this dire backdrop, humanitarian access remains obstructed, and aid delivery hampered by the warring parties’ disregard for the plight of civilians. With 20 million lives hanging in the balance, Sudan’s plight serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for concerted global intervention. The world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions, nor allow Sudan’s conflict to fade into oblivion as a forgotten war. It is incumbent upon the international community to act swiftly and decisively to avert further tragedy and alleviate the immense suffering endured by the people of Sudan.