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Country analysis

Sudan


Over 30 million people in Sudan – almost two third of the population – are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. The main driver of the crisis has been the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which escalated in April 2023 and has since resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries. By December 2024, more than 11.8 million people were forcibly displaced since the beginning of the conflict, including around 9.3 million IDPs and returnees and around 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers outside Sudan, mainly in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. By November, Sudan was hosting more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict has aggravated existing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability. Severe weather events, including floods and droughts, have further deteriorated the humanitarian situation. As a result, Sudan faces high levels of acute food security, with some pockets of Famine (IPC Phase 5) emerging since August 2024. Bureaucratic constraints, as well as violence against humanitarian personnel, assets, and facilities, continue to severely restrict humanitarian access, hindering humanitarian operations and aid delivery. (UNHCR 14/11/2024, OCHA 31/12/2024, UNHCR accessed 16/12/2024, IRC 17/04/2023, AWSD accessed 11/12/2024)

Over 30 million people in Sudan – almost two third of the population – are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. The main driver of the crisis has been the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which escalated in April 2023 and has since resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries. By December 2024, more than 11.8 million people were forcibly displaced since the beginning of the conflict, including around 9.3 million IDPs and returnees and around 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers outside Sudan, mainly in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. By November, Sudan was hosting more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict has aggravated existing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability. Severe weather events, including floods and droughts, have further deteriorated the humanitarian situation. As a result, Sudan faces high levels of acute food security, with some pockets of Famine (IPC Phase 5) emerging since August 2024. Bureaucratic constraints, as well as violence against humanitarian personnel, assets, and facilities, continue to severely restrict humanitarian access, hindering humanitarian operations and aid delivery. (UNHCR 14/11/2024, OCHA 31/12/2024, UNHCR accessed 16/12/2024, IRC 17/04/2023, AWSD accessed 11/12/2024)

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10 June 2025

On 3 June 2025, an attack on a 15-truck convoy near Koma in North Darfur killed five Sudanese aid workers contracted by UN humanitarian agencies. The trucks had travelled over 1,800km from Port Sudan carrying nutritional supplies to Al Fasher, a city facing severe acute food insecurity with risks of famine and hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people. The convoy was 80km from its destination awaiting clearance when it was ambushed despite conflict parties being notified of planned movement. Several members of the convoy were injured and trucks were destroyed. This would have been the first convoy in over a year to reach Al Fasher. The attack further isolates a population in urgent need of food, nutrition support for children, and protection from accessing humanitarian aid and assistance. Al Fasher and nearby displacement camps, including Zamzam, host people repeatedly displaced and cut off from assistance amid escalating violence. (WFP/UNICEF 03/06/2025, AJ 10/06/2025)

10 June 2025

Khartoum state has recorded over 7,700 cholera cases and 185 deaths since January 2025, with more than 1,000 infections among children under five. Daily cases spiked in May, reaching over 800 per day. Displaced families returning to damaged homes face widespread water shortages owing to power outages and conflict. Unsafe water use is accelerating the outbreak. (UNICEF 28/05/2025, ECHO 05/06/2025)

27 May 2025

By April 2025, Sudan had recorded nearly 60,000 cholera cases and over 1,640 deaths across 12 states since August 2024. Al Jazirah, Gedaref, Khartoum, and Red Sea states are among the worst affected. Displacement, unsafe water, and a collapsed health system with many facilities nonfunctional are fuelling the outbreak. People need urgent WASH and health support. (WHO 27/05/2025, IRC 27/05/2025, MSF 23/05/2025)

20 May 2025

From 1–2 May 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked and captured Al Nahud town in West Kordofan state, killing up to 300 civilians, including women and children. The town is considered strategically important thanks to its location on key trade routes and its role as a gateway to Darfur. Reports indicate the RSF's involvement in widespread looting, executions, and attempts to prevent civilians from fleeing. Around 43,000 people have been displaced from Al Nahud and Al Khiwai, with the majority fleeing to nearby areas in West and North Kordofan. They urgently need protection, food, shelter, and medical care. Until 18 March, over 406,000 people had been internally displaced in West Kordofan, many displaced several times. Humanitarian access remains severely limited owing to frequent movement restrictions resulting from armed conflict and bureaucratic constraints. (TRT Global 03/05/2025, IOM 11/05/2025, AA 03/05/2025)

07 May 2025

On 6 May 2025, drone attacks targeted Port Sudan's airport, fuel storage, and power facilities, causing fires and power outages and suspending aid flights. Port Sudan hosts thousands of IDPs, primarily from Khartoum and Al Jazirah states. The strikes have disrupted humanitarian operations in the city, which serves as a critical hub for aid delivery across Sudan. (Reuters 06/05/2025, Small Arms Survey accessed 15/05/2025, AP 06/05/2025)

06 May 2025

On 1–2 May 2025, an attack by the Rapid Support Forces in Al Nahud town, West Kordofan state, killed around 300 civilians. The attack also involved the looting of medical supplies and markets. New displacement information is not yet available. People in the affected areas urgently require assistance for protection, food, and healthcare. (AA 04/05/2025, AJ 02/05/2025, AP 02/05/2025)

15 April 2025

On 11 April 2025, groups affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces launched a large-scale offensive on Zamzam camp in North Darfur, which was hosting nearly 500,000 IDPs. The attack resulted in the reported death of hundreds of civilians, including 12 humanitarian workers. By 15 April, an estimated 400,000 people had fled to nearby localities, primarily Al Fasher, Dar Al Salam, and Tawila. Those remaining in the camp, especially young people, are being prevented from leaving. Many of the camp’s residents were already experiencing acute food insecurity, with IPC declaring Famine (IPC Phase 5) in the camp in August 2024. Displaced individuals are arriving in an advanced state of dehydration, exhaustion, and stress. Urgent needs include food, shelter, basic supplies, and protection assistance. Humanitarian responders are reporting shortages in fuel, water, and health supplies that are disrupting the humanitarian response. (OCHA 15/04/2025, IOM 14/04/2025, MSF 15/04/2025)

current crises
in Sudan


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

SDN001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 26/05/2025


Drivers

International Displacement
Conflict/ Violence
Political/economic crisis

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.7 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

Analysis products
on Sudan

Sudan: risk of continued drone strikes on Port Sudan

23 May 2025

Sudan: risk of continued drone strikes on Port Sudan

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

On 4 May 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a series of drone strikes on Port Sudan, the administrative and humanitarian hub of the country since the beginning of the armed conflict in April 2023. The aerial attacks with loitering munitions lasted six consecutive days until 9 May.

Conflict and violence
Sudan: Displacement from Zamzam Camp

29 April 2025

Sudan: Displacement from Zamzam Camp

DOCUMENT / PDF / 729 KB

On 11 April, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conducted a three-day assault on Zamzam camp, the largest camp for displaced people in Sudan, located in North Darfur, around 15km south of El Fasher City, resulting in the displacement of at least 406,265 (81%) of the camp’s inhabitants. 

AudioDisplacement

Attached resources

Sudan: Humanitarian access developments (October 2024 to March 2025)

10 April 2025

Sudan: Humanitarian access developments (October 2024 to March 2025)

DOCUMENT / PDF / 19 MB

This report highlights the key developments affecting humanitarian access in Sudan between October 2024 and March 2025 at both the national and subnational levels, accounting for significant regional variations in access constraints. This is a follow-up report to the 27 June 2024 ACAPS report on humanitarian access in Sudan.

 

AudioHumanitarian access

Attached resources

Sudan: implications of the US AID funding cuts

13 March 2025

Sudan: implications of the US AID funding cuts

DOCUMENT / PDF / 289 KB

This report analyses the actual and potential implications of the US funding freeze, SWOs, and subsequent cuts on humanitarian operations and humanitarian needs in Sudan. 

AudioUS funding freeze

Attached resources

Sudan: sub-region profile of South Kordofan, West Kordofan and Blue Nile

03 January 2025

Sudan: sub-region profile of South Kordofan, West Kordofan and Blue Nile

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

This report aims to provide an overview of the current situation in the three states, focusing on the key factors driving conflict and instability. The report analyses the humanitarian impacts and compounding factors within these regions. 

AudioEducationFood security & livelihoodsProtectionWASH

Attached resources

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