Sudan war death toll much higher than previously recorded, new study finds
Al Jazeera1 day
Study: Sudan War Death Toll Much Higher Than Records Show
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Above: Members of Sudan's armed forces attend a graduation ceremony for new recruits in the eastern city of Gedaref on Nov. 5, 2024. Image copyright: Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
According to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicines Sudan Research Group, over 61K people have lost their lives in the Khartoum region since the war broke out in April 2023. This is far higher than the roughly 20K deaths confirmed by the UN.
According to the report, 26K deaths have been caused by the violence, though starvation, disease, and lack of medical care have emerged as the primary causes of death in Sudan. It found that the rate of deaths from violence is highest in the Kordofan and Darfur regions.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
While informative reports like this are vital, the actual death toll from the Sudan conflict could be as high as 125K civilians — due to both violence and hunger. Sudan currently has the most extensive and dangerous humanitarian emergency, surpassing all other emergencies in the world today. Despite these facts, Western media and institutions refuse to give it the coverage it deserves, which is likely why few people know how awful the crisis truly is.
Pro-establishment narrative
The UN meticulously tracks both violence- and health-related deaths in Sudan to assess the conflict's severity and coordinate effective humanitarian responses. While this data helps to inform resource allocation and intervention strategies, the UN requires much more funding to address escalating needs. Millions of people will face dire consequences if the world doesn't step up and give the Sudanese what they need.
