Sudan Humanitarian Crisis

• According to UN OCHA in Sudan’s 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview, “the four most significant risks identified are conflict, disasters associated with natural hazards, disease outbreaks, and economic deterioration.”
• At least 15.8 million people – one-third of the country’s population – were in need of humanitarian assistance as of January 2023, which is an increase from 14.3 million in 2022. However, recent events and increased military actions have dramatically increased the number of people needing support. In the revised Humanitarian Response Plan, 24.7 million people were identified as being in need, and 18.1 million are targeted in the plan. In the prior plan, 57% of people in need were women, 55% were children and 15% had disabilities.
• A severe flooding season between May–September 2022 (typically between June–September) affected 16 out of 18 states in Sudan. Over 100,000 people were displaced due to this flooding.
• Sudan hosts more than 1.14 million refugees, and 4.1 million people are displaced within the country. About 400,000 people were newly displaced in 2022 in Sudan due to conflict and disasters, including the above-mentioned flooding, as well as wildfires. Most of that displacement (30.6%) was in the Blue Nile region, followed by West Darfur (22.8%) and South Darfur (11.2%).
• According to IOM, from April 15 to June 4, 2023, Displacement Tracking Matrix “estimates that approximately 1,428,551 individuals (286,207 households) have been displaced internally as a result of the conflict. Notably, the current estimate for displacement in the previous 52 days is greater than that of recorded displacement during the previous 4 years. Furthermore, an estimated additional 476,8 11 individuals have crossed into neighbouring countries.”

The health care system in Sudan is weak, and the fighting has reduced medical access as health facilities cancel their services. At least 50,000 acutely malnourished children have had nutrition support disrupted due to the fighting. The shortage of food, fuel and supplies is also concerning.

As of June 4, “data from Sudan’s Doctor’s Trade Union suggests 70% of health care services are no longer functioning due to lack of supplies, personnel and access. Twenty-one hospitals have been forcibly evacuated by militants. And 17 hospitals have suffered aerial or land bombings, with nine ambulances attacked.”

Many hospitals are only providing basic first aid and lack personnel and supplies. Only 20% of hospitals are located outside of Khartoum, home to the most significant fighting.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has verified nearly 50 attacks on health care “including 29 attacks on health facilities, 19 impacting health personnel, 12 impacting supplies, 7 impacting transport, 6 impacting warehouses and another 6 impacting patients.”

As of June 4, there have been 866 civilian deaths and 5,800 injuries. On June 4, an attack in Kutum, in North Darfur, left 40 civilians dead and many more wounded. The Congolese government claims that 10 citizens were killed by an army attack on Khartoum’s International University of Africa on June 4.

WHO says the risk of diarrhoeal diseases is high as the water supply is disrupted, and people are drinking river water to survive. Additionally, a dengue fever outbreak has spread across 12 states with thousands of confirmed and suspected cases. A polio outbreak has affected dozens of children, there is also a measles outbreak, and cases of malaria are running rampant.

UNICEF reports that more than 13.6 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Millions of children are out of school because of school closures. Because they are out of school, they are at increased risk of recruitment by one of the armed groups.

UN OCHA shares that 618,000 school-aged children have been displaced inside or outside of the country. The Mygoma orphanage in Khartoum has faced shortages of supplies and staff, as well as power outages. Several of the more than 300 children they house have died due to infections, dehydration and malnourishment.

At least 14.9 million people are in need in the WASH sector, according to the updated Sudan Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023, dated May 2023. The amount of funding needed has grown from $129 million to $230.9 million.

UNICEF has found that, “Inadequate water, hygiene and sanitation practices poses major risks for communities especially children. Moreover, water and sanitation related diseases are one of the leading causes of death for children under five. In Sudan 17.3 million people lack access to basic level drinking water supply and are at risk of disease. About 24 million lack access to proper sanitation facilities. Sanitation coverage has stagnated with more than 10.5 million people practice open defecation. This poses a major hazard to children and communities and has a significant impact on food security, rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks, conflict, and ultimately child morbidity and mortality.”

Key infrastructure, including pipes, has been damaged by the fighting (although it was not well maintained prior). Residents are using the Nile River for all water needs, including drinking, bathing and cleaning.

Hospitals also lack water, which impacts patient care and outcomes. Sudan, as an agricultural nation, uses 97% of its water to support that industry, but climate change – including water scarcity and desertification – is affecting that water supply as well.

Sudan’s economy remains in crisis, with high inflation, a shortage of foreign currency and a large national debt. The country is struggling to provide basic services to its citizens, and many people are experiencing food insecurity and poverty (65% below the poverty line as of a 2020 report).

According to the World Bank, “The secession of South Sudan [in 2011] led to multiple economic shocks, including the loss of oil revenue that had accounted for more than half of the Sudan government’s revenue and 95% of its exports. This has reduced economic growth and resulted in double-digit consumer price inflation…”

Since 2011, inflation has increased to triple-digit numbers, although it decreased throughout 2022. As of January 2023, school fees had increased 400% and oil prices had grown by 300%.

There are ongoing concerns about human rights abuses in Sudan, including reports of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on freedom of expression and association. The government has taken some steps to address these issues, but progress has been slow. The protection issues have been amplified by the war, with fighting happening in urban areas leading to civilian deaths.

The ongoing conflicts in some parts of Sudan, including in the Darfur region and in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, have led to the displacement of millions of people, who are often living in difficult conditions in camps and settlements.

After originally deciding to pull out of the country when three staff were killed, the World Food Programme said on May 1 it was lifting its temporary suspension of assistance.

Before the outbreak of fighting, more than 15 million people faced severe food insecurity in Sudan, an increase of over two million people since last year. More than 11 million were accurately food insecure.

Food prices have doubled since April 15 when the fighting began. These numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the conflict continues. Much of the fighting is concentrated in Khartoum, which already has the highest number of South Sudanese refugees and a highly food-insecure population.

Despite above-average cereal production this year due to favorable weather, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network says levels of acute food insecurity are expected to deteriorate further.

A Rapid Gender Analysis on Power and Participation conducted by CARE in Sudan’s Kassala State showed women are often not consulted in decision-making, and social norms are a key barrier towards greater inclusion. The report highlights opportunities to enhance women’s participation and leadership.