A recent study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine indicates that the death toll from Sudan’s civil war is significantly higher than previous estimates, with over 61,000 deaths occurring in Khartoum State alone from April 2023 to June 2024. The report highlights a severe humanitarian crisis marked by preventable diseases and starvation, with the UN reporting that 25 million people in Sudan require food aid. The need for increased international support to address this crisis has become acute.
Recent research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine reveals that the death toll from the ongoing civil war in Sudan far exceeds earlier estimates. The study indicates that, within just Khartoum State from April 2023 to June 2024, over 61,000 individuals died from various causes, marking a rise of 50% above the pre-war death rate. Furthermore, approximately 26,000 of these deaths were attributed to violence, far surpassing the total reported across the nation by databases like ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data).
The findings highlight a dire humanitarian crisis, with preventable diseases and starvation being the primary causes of mortality. As stated by the research, more than 90% of both all-cause and violent deaths in Khartoum State were unrecorded, suggesting that the broader national death toll is significantly underestimated. This civil war, which ignited in April 2023 due to conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has hindered governmental services and obstructed accurate data collection.
The study employed a capture-recapture analysis method to triangulate data from multiple sources, which allows for estimating the number of unrecorded deaths. Lead researcher Maysoon Dahab emphasized, “It allows us to estimate the number of unrecorded events, in this case, deaths. We’ve done that by collecting data from three different sources, triangulating those three sources and comparing them and seeing the amount of overlap there was.”
Amid these harrowing statistics, medical aid organizations like Doctors Without Borders report alarming developments, indicating that one in six patients in Khartoum hospitals have been children under 15, suffering severe injuries or malnutrition. The United Nations has indicated that over 11 million people have been displaced, and around 25 million citizens, which constitutes half the population of Sudan, are in desperate need of food assistance.
Maysoon Dahab further articulated the urgency of international support, noting the necessity for an increased aid effort to reach affected communities. The humanitarian situation is further complicated by geopolitical dynamics, as global powers grapple with potential resolutions.
Recently, Thomas Perriello, the United States Special Envoy to Sudan, reiterated the commitment to resolve the violence but acknowledged the lack of willingness for ceasefire from both conflicting parties. Meanwhile, Russia’s veto of a UN Security Council resolution aimed at securing a ceasefire drew significant criticism from the UK, illustrating the complex interplay of international relations affecting the Sudanese crisis.
The civil war in Sudan, which commenced in April 2023, is primarily a struggle for power between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has resulted in widespread humanitarian suffering and has severely disrupted government services, making it challenging for aid organizations to provide assistance effectively. This has led to an escalation in preventable deaths due to violence, disease, and starvation. With the humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorating, accurate estimation of casualties has become paramount for mobilizing aid and addressing the crisis adequately.
In conclusion, the civil war in Sudan represents an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, with likely casualty figures significantly underestimated. Ongoing violence and political complexities hinder efforts to alleviate suffering among the affected populations. The findings from recent studies stress the urgency for international interventions and aid commitments to mitigate the growing hunger crisis and prevent further loss of life. It is imperative that global leaders take cognizance of the true scale of this disaster to instigate meaningful resolutions and support for the people of Sudan.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
