Witnesses testified at an emergency hearing about a growing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Bradford Phillips said that between 70,000 to 90,000 people would die in the Sudan region if the U.N. did not take action. Witnesses from humanitarian groups and the Anglican Diocese in Sudan called on the U.S. to do more to curb the rising humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Republic of Sudan and its neighbor South Sudan had faced mounting security problems following the south's independence in July. Border conflicts and issues over oil revenue continued to plague a comprehensive peace agreement signed by both sides in 2005 ending a civil war.