Sudan: War and Climate Change – A Dramatic Double Challenge

The Human Rights Agency (ADH) has warned about the severity of the situation in Sudan, describing it as a major humanitarian crisis.

Already ravaged by a civil war that began in April 2023, the country is also suffering from the catastrophic effects of climate change. Over 12 million people have been displaced or made refugees, while devastating floods are exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

Nisreen Elsaim, a peace and climate activist, describes the twin crises that have plunged the country into an unprecedented disaster. After the war broke out, she and her family were forced to flee their home due to shortages of food and water. The war has also made the population more vulnerable to natural disasters. During the last rainy season, historic floods submerged areas larger than Germany, severely affecting displacement camps.

In Africa, climate change is worsening already significant socio-economic and environmental challenges. Temperatures are rising faster than the global average, leading to extreme heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and water shortages, particularly in the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions. These conditions are undermining agriculture, which is vital for the livelihoods of millions, and increasing food insecurity.

The Human Rights Agency (ADH) emphasizes the seriousness of this situation, which it considers a major humanitarian crisis. It is crucial to integrate climate issues into all humanitarian interventions to make them more effective. Sudan needs immediate assistance and sustainable solutions to address these interconnected challenges and break the cycle of violence and disasters.