Students and professors gathered in Hotel A on Tuesday to hear from three professionals who are literally and figuratively on the front lines of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Organized and moderated by UVA Batten MPP ’25 Hana Bakhit, who is from Sudan, panelists included Leni Kinzli, communications officer with World Food Programme (WFP) Sudan; Maha Tambal, senior program manager with DT Institute; and Chi-Poe Hisa, Sudan response manager with USAID.   

Based in Nairobi, Kinzli spoke of a “forgotten crisis” in Sudan that is rooted in complex dynamics. Having been a dictatorship for 30 years prior to the military coup in 2019, Sudan’s ongoing internal battles have escalated into a full-blown conflict over control of the country’s power and resources, such as gold. 

The violence intensifies unprecedented famine and human displacement, the panelists noted. More than 25.6 million people, about half of the country’s population, face acute hunger, Kinzli said. 

“This is the first place in the world where a famine has been declared in more than seven years. There are reports of people dying of hunger, children dying of malnutrition, and the situation is continuing to escalate including the accompanying displacement crisis in which more than 11 million people have been forced from their homes over the last 18 months, mainly into Chad and South Sudan which are dealing with food insecurity issues of their own. It is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.” 

In her role as a communicator, Kinzli said she struggles to convey just how horrific the situation is and how important it is for the world to pay attention. These desperate conditions are exacerbated by disease and violations against civilians, particularly women.  

Hisa added that the situation is worsening daily. “When a famine is declared, it is a technical finding,” he said. “It relies on excess mortality, an acute malnutrition base as well as extreme levels of food insecurities. The only way to get out of the famine is to have sustained humanitarian aid and access to a full suite of services.” 

Sudan is also experiencing a cholera outbreak, which is extremely difficult to fully assess and control given the dire circumstances of high displacement and breakdown in services.  

“We know right now there are more than 26,000 cases and there is a lot of concern that these cases will spread, especially with the vulnerability of people who are already suffering from hunger and malnutrition,” Hisa said.    

Logistically, the biggest challenge is safe humanitarian access through conflict areas, the panelists noted. The United Nations and others have called for ceasefires, but those directives have been largely ignored by Sudan’s warring factions.  

USAID has worked with other humanitarian organizations to increase financial support, Hisa said. A humanitarian conference held in Paris in April resulted in $1.3 billion in aid pledged, and 70 percent of this funding has been fulfilled. As the largest donor, the United Sates committed more than $2 billion to the region.  

“The need cannot be overlooked,” he said. “The U.S. cannot do this alone. But funding alone won’t solve this crisis.” 

Yet another dimension of the crisis is the geopolitical situation which Tambal brought into focus. She explained that Sudan is surrounded by countries with different interests and aligned with specific warring factions, creating additional difficulties achieving a ceasefire. She stressed the need for accountability mechanisms at the local level that she believes the United Nations should negotiate.  

Tambal pointed out that Sudan shares the Red Sea with Saudi Arabia and Yemen, had holds a long partnership with Iran and every other long-standing regime in the region, as well as with Russia. 

“It really does need attention because security in the region cannot be felt without taking firm actions and a more holistic approach,” she said. 

Hisa mentioned ongoing efforts by the U.N., the U.S. and other countries towards diplomacy, yet he indicated that it will be a very long process.  

Seeking an end to the conflict and gaining humanitarian access are critical to reaching those people most in need. The three panelists indicated that hope is found in the heroic efforts being carried out in the field by local organizations.  

“As with any disaster, the first responders are the ones on the ground carrying out the majority of assistance,” said Hisa. “We strongly support these local efforts and work with international partners to support these Sudanese organizations.”  

Kinzli says WFP Sudan also supports more than 200 community kitchens and cited more than 350,000 people are receiving meals from these local kitchens. 

“These people are risking their lives every day and are the real heroes of this crisis.”  

Bakhit provided the following links to those who want to learn more and help: 

To learn more about the crisis: 

Sudan Crisis Hub

To help:

Sudanese American Physicians Association  

United Nations Refugee Agency