Besieged areas in Sudan: Hunger, oppression and the obstruction of aid

The conflict in Sudan, now in its third year, has displaced 12 million people and created the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today. The war has been characterized by mass atrocities, obstruction of international and local humanitarian actors, systematic sexual violence and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

With the fall of El Fasher to the RSF in late October, mass atrocities against civilians are ongoing.

The international community, including the government of Canada, must act decisively to put pressure on all actors and external actors involved to stop the war.

They should use their leverage—based on diplomatic and trade relationships with external actors—to press for humanitarian access, accountability and protection of civilians. They should expand humanitarian funding for Sudan, prioritizing flexible funding for local responders.

On October 9, the Canadian Civil Society Working Group on Sudan convened a confidential briefing on Sudan’s crisis, bringing together four expert panelists representing senior leadership in Sudanese feminist civil society, international humanitarian organizations and grassroots emergency response networks. All four are actively engaged in responding to the crisis.

This document summarizes information shared by the expert panelists.

1. The panelists shared first-hand information on:
2. Sudan’s shifting conflict zones and political dynamics
3. Darfur and the siege of El Fasher
4. Kordofan and the siege of Kadugli and Dillinj
5. The devastating toll for women and girls across Sudan
6. Challenges for humanitarian aid and actors
7. Geopolitical dimensions of the war
8. Key recommendations for the international community

For security reasons, the briefing was conducted under Chatham House Rule. Information shared should not be attributed to panelists or organizations. For follow up or to contact the panelists, email Amani Khalfan, co-chair of the working group: akhalfan@interpares.ca

Further resources: Canadian civil society has released several joint statements and demands. See: 64 civil society organizations call on Canada to respond to crisis in Sudan (Dec. 11, 2024) and 11 civil society organizations call for end to crisis in western Sudan (Sept. 12, 2025).