An expert with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) described on Tuesday the worsening situation in Sudan as a “significant humanitarian crisis.” Director of the External Relations Department for the UNHCR Dominique Hyde explained in a press briefing how the ongoing conflict has resulted in increased violence and significant distress among the country’s population. Hyde expressed concern on behalf of the UN about the global community’s lack of attention to the ongoing breaches of international humanitarian law in Sudan.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, the UNHCR has observed a notable rise in the number of Sudanese people seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Chad, in particular, is seeing an influx of approximately 700 new arrivals daily. According to the UNHCR, the shelter center in Renk—a city bordering South Sudan—initially designed for 3,000 individuals is now accommodating around 20,000 people. Sudanese refugees account for a majority of the approximately 20,000 people at the shelter.

Fighting has been particularly violent in the Darfur region of Sudan. UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Toby Harward described the recent violence in the region on X (formerly Twitter) as “sickening.” Harward went on to describe reports of “assassinations, grave violations [and] massacres of civlians, following RSF takeover of” an area in West Darfur. He called upon Sudanese authorities to “uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, ensure rule of law, [and] provide unfettered humanitarian access to vulnerable persons.”

The armed conflict in Sudan began on April 15 between members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Since then, Sudan has suffered significant human loss, including over 9,000 casualties, 5.7 million displaced people and 25 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Since the outbreak of fighting, experts with the UN and human rights organizations have called for international action. An October letter from human rights organizations highlighted the need for a unified international approach to the conflict, emphasizing concern over civilian attacks and sexual violence in the region.