Sudan marked the beginning of the fourth year of its ongoing conflict Wednesday, as fighting between the country’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shows no sign of abating. The continuing violence has plunged Sudan into what humanitarian agencies describe as one of the world’s most severe crises, forcing millions to flee their homes and straining access to basic necessities such as food and medical care.

The conflict, which has devastated regions including Darfur, has led to widespread displacement and hunger. More than 13 million people have been uprooted since hostilities escalated, with the UN stating that nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s population—approximately 34 million people—now require humanitarian assistance. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warned in February that the number of individuals suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the deadliest form of malnourishment, could reach 800,000.

In recent months, outbreaks of diseases such as cholera have further complicated the humanitarian landscape, while just 63 percent of health facilities continue to operate fully or partially, according to the World Health Organization. The situation has been exacerbated by rising fuel costs—up more than 24 percent amid regional tensions linked to the war in Iran—which have contributed to increasing food prices and further restricted aid delivery.

The UN and other international bodies have condemned attacks on civilian populations during the conflict. In October, at least 6,000 people were reported killed over three days as RSF forces assaulted the northern Darfur town of El-Fasher. UN-backed investigations have concluded that the offensive displayed "the defining characteristics of genocide." Meanwhile, the International Red Cross reports that over 11,000 individuals have gone missing throughout the conflict.

Local residents like Hussein Mohammed Shareef, who was shot by a sniper near Khartoum, bear witness to the conflict’s human toll. Shareef said he had lost at least 10 friends to the fighting, underscoring the persistent danger faced by civilians.

Efforts by the United States and regional powers to broker ceasefires have repeatedly failed to halt the violence. With ongoing clashes showing no immediate end, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen amid dwindling international attention, overshadowed by recent conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East.