The United Nations (UN) estimates that Sudan has an almost two-billion-dollar shortfall in funding urgently needed to help displaced people, amid the ongoing conflict that has raged between the Sudanese government and powerful paramilitary forces for over three months.  

More than 3 million people have been displaced by the conflict both internally, and across the border to neighbouring countries like South Sudan and Chad. 

Prices for everyday items have soared by over 100 percent, while essential services like banks and schools have shut down without any indication as to when they will re open.  

The UN says it is working around the clock to offer health and nutrition services in Sudan and South Sudan and setting up new services in Chad. Though it has warned much scaling up is needed as fighting intensifies.  

UNHCR estimates over 148,000 refugees have already arrived across the border to South Sudan and 320,000 have arrived in Chad. Most of these new arrivals are women and children. 

The impending rainy season in the region is expected to make matters worse.  

Warming temperatures mean Sudan and the wider region experience drier weather, with shorter but more intense rainy periods that make flooding an annual problem.  

Last year’s flood cycle affected around 350,000 people in Sudan. Torrential rain and flooding could destroy both crops and livestock, making it more difficult for people to cross the borders between Sudan and its neighboring countries. 

Relief International, a nonprofit international group working across 16 countries, has provided 82,000 healthcare consultations at facilities in Sudan since the crisis began. 

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor of Alliance magazine.