U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk began a visit to Sudan this week, warning that the country’s protracted conflict has created a deepening human rights and humanitarian crisis marked by mass displacement, hunger and the collapse of basic services.
Türk arrived in Sudan on Jan. 14, his first official visit since November 2022, as fighting between rival forces continues to devastate large parts of the country, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan.
On Thursday, Türk visited Dongola, the capital of Sudan’s Northern State, where he met with the state’s governor, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Rahman Abdel-Hamid, as well as representatives from national and international humanitarian organizations and civil society groups.
Speaking after meetings with more than 50 humanitarian and civil society representatives, Türk said civilians displaced by the war are facing severe shortages of shelter, protection and basic services.
“I am currently in Dongola, which is the capital of Northern State, by the River Nile,” Türk said. “What they are telling me is about the horrible plight that many people, many survivors of this horrific war, are going through every day.”
He said displaced families — many of whom have been forced to flee multiple times — lack adequate settlements, while survivors of sexual violence and people with disabilities are receiving insufficient support.
“There is no proper solution for women who have suffered sexual violence because the space isn’t there,” Türk said. “There is not enough attention paid to people with disabilities.”
Despite the challenges, Türk said humanitarian and civil society groups have identified practical solutions but require greater support.
“There needs to be an all-out effort, both within Sudan and by the international community, to help them and facilitate their work so that they can provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance required under the circumstances,” he said.
Sudan’s war has been marked by widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including attacks on civilians, mass displacement and the breakdown of essential services.
The U.N. human rights office says it continues to monitor and document abuses to support accountability and civilian protection.
During his visit, Türk has also held meetings with authorities in Port Sudan, civil society representatives and the U.N. country team. He is expected to visit internally displaced people at the Al Afad gathering site in Northern State.
Türk is scheduled to return to Port Sudan on Sunday, Jan. 18, and will hold press conferences at the conclusion of his visit, including one in Port Sudan and another in Nairobi, Kenya.