While the world's attention is focused on Gaza and Ukraine, a humanitarian disaster of enormous proportions is unfolding in Sudan.

The situation has deteriorated dramatically for the population in one of the world's most war-torn countries in the past year. And the worst hit are women and children, who are increasingly exposed to sexual violence.

The crisis has also triggered mass displacement, both within Sudan and to neighbouring countries. The situations are unsustainable, and immediate financial support from the international community is needed to respond to the needs. Uganda and other countries hosting large numbers of refugees will not be able to respond as they do today without more donor assistance.

Sudan is also facing its worst hunger crisis in a long time. 18 million people are living with acute food shortages and five million are at risk of starving to death. Caritas Sudan has repeatedly stated that "people are dying of hunger and are in desperate need of food."

Asks the international community to take responsibility

In a joint statement , Caritas Internationalis, the Jesuit Refugee Service and the World Council of Churches urge the world community to take more responsibility for helping and saving lives in Sudan.

To meet the enormous needs, we call on donors and the international community to scale up the response. The pledges from the Paris conference in April must be kept. The allocations to the UN Humanitarian Response Plan must be increased. And flexible and direct funding must be ensured for local actors, local NGOs and faith-based organizations.

We appeal to all parties to the conflict that:

• Provide immediate, full, safe and unhindered access for life-saving humanitarian assistance through all possible crossing lines and across borders, including both the Adré and Tine crossings in Chad.
• The protection of civilians and aid workers is ensured, in accordance with obligations under international humanitarian law.
• An immediate and lasting ceasefire must be concluded. At the same time, initiatives must be taken for dialogue with the goal of creating lasting peace, which also looks at sustainable solutions to the underlying causes of the conflict.