The Australian Council for International Development and 21 humanitarian agencies are raising alarm at the ongoing catastrophe in Sudan, the largest humanitarian crisis in the world today.

Sudan has been in the grips of a violent civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. The United Nations has described Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century.  As of November 2025, more than 150,000 people have been killed, and more than 14 million displaced from their homes. 

In October 2025, after over two and a half years of being under siege, the city of El Fasher was taken by the RSF. At the time, over 260,000 civilians were estimated to be trapped in El Fasher. Since then, there has been widespread reporting of violence against civilians, including mass killings, sexual and gender-based violence, and the targeting of children. The UN estimates that almost 71,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher, yet the limited number of civilians arriving at camps for displaced people raises grave concerns regarding the scale of atrocities.    

The signatories below appreciate the Australian Government’s commitment of $60 million to this crisis since April 2023, including the $10 million announced since the recent crisis in El Fasher.

The Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 was developed by the United Nations in response to global funding shortfalls and attempted to reprioritise needs in order to maximise lifesaving assistance to those most vulnerable. However, the Response Plan remains critically underfunded, at just under 28 per cent.

In the face of this tragedy, we call on the Australian Government to:

• Provide an additional $40 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan, matching the government’s humanitarian support to Sudan in 2023 and 2024 of $50 million.
• Place diplomatic pressure on all state and non-state actors providing military, financial, logistical and other support to the conflicting parties of the crisis to ensure:
  • Humanitarian access to all areas and the safe passage of humanitarian support
  • The protection of humanitarian workers, particularly local staff and volunteers and including through financial support
  • Adherence to international humanitarian law
   
• Contribute to multilateral efforts toward a ceasefire and accountability for perpetrators

ACFID members continue to respond in Sudan and neighbouring countries, providing lifesaving assistance, including water and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support, emergency food rations and nutrition services, shelter and non-food items, and multi-purpose cash assistance.

 Quotes attributable to Matthew Maury, CEO of ACFID:

“ACFID recognises the significant humanitarian contributions that the Australian Government has made to date in Sudan. But as this crisis continues to escalate and cause devastation, now is the time to do more.”

“Australia should use all existing diplomatic relationships with nations who are uniquely placed in the region to contribute towards peace efforts. The Australian Government should leverage these relationships to bring coordinated pressure on warring Sudanese parties in order to ensure humanitarian access, the protection of humanitarian workers, and to land a peace agreement. It is essential aid workers can safely attend to those most in need, especially in El Fasher.”

“The Australian public can do their part to alleviate the suffering by helping to support the ACFID members who are involved in humanitarian work in Sudan.”

“The Australian humanitarian sector stands in solidarity with the Australian Sudanese diaspora communities and supports their efforts to advocate for an increased response from our government to this devastating conflict.”left in El Fasher or those that choose to flee.”

Islamic Relief has previously warned that civilians in El Fasher must be protected following its capture on 26 October, and allowed safe passage to leave the city if they choose to do so. Aid supplies should be allowed to reach it to alleviate hunger.