A Manitoba-based humanitarian organization is urging greater awareness and action as Sudan marks three years of civil war, with millions facing worsening conditions in what is widely described as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
Officials with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank say nearly 34 million people in Sudan now require urgent assistance, driven by ongoing conflict, mass displacement and severe hunger.
The April 15 anniversary came as global pressures including shipping disruptions tied to conflict in the Middle East are compounding the crisis, delaying deliveries of food, fuel and medical supplies.
In a statement, the organization called it “a critical moment to revisit the scale of the crisis,” warning that continued international inaction risks deepening already severe humanitarian needs.
Two senior representatives from the Winnipeg-based group, Executive Director Andy Harrington and Director of Resources and Public Engagement Christina Philips, were in Sudan from April 13 to 15, meeting with local partners delivering aid in some of the hardest-hit regions.
Harrington described the situation as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today, stressing that the scale of need demands a stronger global response.
“Everyone deserves the right to food,” he said, adding that the international community must be willing to “go the extra mile” to support those affected.
While Sudan may feel far removed from daily life in Manitoba, Harrington said the crisis is a reminder of shared humanity and the responsibility to respond.
For Philips, the experience on the ground was deeply emotional. She said that while the scale of the crisis can feel overwhelming, the impact of helping even one person remains significant.
“Every life counts,” she said.
Following their visit to Sudan, the pair travelled to South Sudan from April 16 to 24 to meet with refugees who have fled the violence across the border.
The organization says the crisis in Sudan now affects roughly two-thirds of the country’s population, making it the largest humanitarian emergency in the world in terms of overall need.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies, reported providing $74.6 million in assistance to more than 1.1 million people across 37 countries in its 2024–25 fiscal year, with support from the federal government through Global Affairs Canada.
