Since April 2023, Sudan has endured an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The fighting is seemingly never-ending, and important infrastructure has been destroyed; towns have been left in ruins, the health care sector has collapsed, and violence has spread to all areas of the country.
Over half the population – including 16 million children – needs urgent humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity has reached historic and catastrophic levels, with famine conditions confirmed in parts of North Darfur. Millions more are at immediate risk of famine, particularly in the conflict-affected regions of Khartoum and Kordofan.
A critical situation
More than 8 million people have been internally displaced since the conflict began, making Sudan the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. Over 3 million have fled to neighbouring countries.
Every single individual who has been displaced has experienced some form of trauma. People have witnessed mass killings, experienced sexual violence and lost their homes, land, and any freedom they once had.
The fighting continues but the mental health impact of the crisis is immediate and immeasurable.
Nearly 2 years of horrific violence has left the population traumatised, and with few resources available to support them.
Providing vital support
Islamic Relief has a presence at numerous internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Sudan, where we are providing important humanitarian relief in the form of food, safe drinking water and hygiene kits. We are also providing vital mental health support, implementing activities and programmes to help those who are suffering under the mental weight of nearly 2 years of conflict.

Muzdalifa is a Community Mobiliser working for Islamic Relief in Alhuri IDP camp, located in eastern Sudan.
“Since I joined [Islamic Relief], I have worked on many projects and conducted many activities at Alhuri IDP camp. We also distributed recreational materials as part of the child-friendly space activities, the support covered all the blocks in the camp with toys.”
Islamic Relief distributed toys such as jumping ropes, footballs, drawing books and colouring pencils to children in the camp to help keep their spirits up.
“As for women, we have psychosocial support activities. In the coffee corner, we sing, chat, cry together, and laugh together.” Muzdalifa continues.
“We try to light[en] the atmosphere for those who have been displaced and have been affected by some event in their journey. They were sad when they first arrived and depressed and didn’t know how to release the negative energy.
“This project is a great initiative that supported many people and helped them to overcome their problems, to find themselves and how to cope with the current situation.”
Islamic Relief has worked in Sudan for 40 years, providing vital humanitarian assistance including hygiene, food and mental health support. Please support our life-saving work by donating to our Sudan Emergency Appeal today.