AID agencies have demanded more action from the global community to end the war in Sudan, which entered its fourth year on Wednesday.

UNHCR Eastern and Southern Africa regional director Mamadou Dian Balde reported on Wednesday that around 14 million people have been displaced since the conflict erupted in April 2023, with the situation deteriorating by the day.

Of these, nine million are internally displaced in Sudan, while around 4.5 million have fled to neighbouring countries, such as Egypt.

Mr Balde said: “Refugees have two main messages for the world. First, they are calling for the war to end. 

“Second, while those efforts continue, the international community must help alleviate their suffering.”

He also said that without stronger international engagement, the crisis could destabilise the region, with continued fighting potentially pushing displaced people to seek safety beyond Africa, including in Europe and the Gulf.

Plan International warned in a statement on Wednesday that an estimated 12 million people — almost a quarter of Sudan’s population — are at risk of gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault.

Repeated attacks on health facilities have severely reduced the capacity of medical staff to treat survivors at a time when such crimes are occurring on a wide scale, it said.

It also reported that more than 14 million children, mostly girls, are unable to attend school as education systems have collapsed.

The NGO’s country director, Mohamed Kamal, said: “This conflict has devastated Sudan.”

“Young people are missing out on an education, hospitals are in ruins and communities are being torn apart. The long-term consequences will be felt for generations if we do not act now.”

More than 30 million people are estimated to require urgent humanitarian assistance, but the response of the international community remains significantly underfunded, Mr Kamal added.