Sudanese government officials, whose capital city Khartoum has endured a month of violent clashes, have condemned numerous violations against civilians, with women bearing a heavy toll. Local reports trace the unrest to ongoing fighting between security forces and armed groups, a struggle that has drawn widespread international concern and intense reporting by outlets such as The Guardian.
Refugees and aid amid the civil war
Among those receiving assistance since the conflict intensified last month are refugees who have sought shelter in safe zones. Authorities say there have been no new reported cases of sexual assault recently, but aid workers emphasize that the true scope of violence may be undercounted due to disrupted outreach and restricted access to affected areas.
Four women and a girl are receiving support from a dedicated unit, with the manager noting that many incidents remain unreported. The head of the Unit for Combating Violence against Women at the Sudanese Ministry of Social Security and Works remarked that the number of cases could be higher, but victims struggle to reach assistance amid the upheaval.
Several victims have alleged abuse by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group that has played a central role in the conflict. Following the displacement caused by the violence, three refugees in the city reported assaults by armed individuals, while other accounts described assaults by unidentified gunmen.
Hospitals under strain
The fighting has left at least 600 people dead and more than 5,000 injured, according to official tallies since April 15. The conflict pits the Sudanese Army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. The two sides have shared power since a 2021 military coup that toppled the civilian-led transitional government established after the ouster of Omar al-Bashir.
In Khartoum, hospital capacity remains severely constrained. Only a fraction of facilities are operating at or near full capacity, and some centers are reported to be under RSF control. The RSF is said to hold sway over roughly 90 percent of the capital, complicating the delivery of medical supplies and care.
According to Isaac, the violence and the shortage of essential medical resources have limited the unit’s ability to provide more than minimal assistance. He noted the absence of safe corridors for obtaining medicines, with many drug depots occupied or inaccessible, further hampering relief efforts and patient care.
As the humanitarian situation worsens, aid organizations and local authorities continue to coordinate through limited channels to reach vulnerable populations. The broader picture remains fluid, with ongoing clashes, displacement, and a precarious health environment shaping how relief can be delivered and who can access it. The situation highlights the urgent need for international diplomatic engagement and an immediate, sustained humanitarian response to protect civilians and restore vital services in Khartoum and across the country.