Sudan's war is the world's deadliest and getting worse

Three years of fighting in Sudan have produced very high death and displacement figures and a widespread hunger crisis, according to data analyses and UN reports.

Three years of civil war in Sudan have driven large-scale death, displacement and collapse of services. Independent analyses and UN agencies report that mortality, hunger and forced movement have risen sharply while reliable data remain limited. The country remains divided between forces aligned with the army and the Rapid Support Forces, and both sides have imposed communication restrictions that hinder information and aid delivery. International officials and donors are meeting in Berlin to mark the third anniversary and to discuss a major funding shortfall for the humanitarian response. Key facts: - Estimates of lives lost vary widely: many aid groups and UN officials cite roughly 150,000 deaths, while some experts have suggested figures up to around 400,000, and analysts say the true toll is uncertain. - The UN's 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan reports about 62% of the population (around 29 million people) are acutely food insecure; the IPC has confirmed famine in El Fasher and Kadugli and projects large numbers at catastrophic risk. - More than 13.6 million people have been forced from their homes, with about nine million internally displaced and over 4.3 million having fled across borders, according to WHO and UN agencies. - International donors and UN representatives are meeting in Berlin to discuss the crisis and a shortfall in funding; last year's appeal fell short by roughly €2.2 billion, and further outcome steps are being discussed. Summary: The conflict has produced very high levels of death, displacement and food insecurity while data gaps make precise figures uncertain. Donors and UN officials are meeting in Berlin to address funding and humanitarian access; Undetermined at this time.