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Country analysis

Sudan


The number of people estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country in 2023 has jumped from 15.8 million to 24.7 million following the clashes that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in multiple areas of Sudan on 15 April. Drivers of the crisis include political instability following the military takeover on 25 October 2021 and the onset of conflict on 15 April 2023, a socioeconomic crisis characterised by high inflation rates and currency depreciation, and food insecurity affecting at least a quarter of the population, projected to further deteriorate.

As at 20 June, the recent conflict in April had displaced more than 1.9 million people inside Sudan and 600,000 people to neighbouring countries, mainly Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Intercommunal clashes and violence in some areas of the country, mostly in Darfur and Kordofan regions, also contribute to the high numbers of internal and cross-border displacements.

The flood season usually affects Sudan between June–September, driving displacement and increasing humanitarian needs. There were more than 1.1 million refugees in Sudan before the start of the conflict in April. The conflict between SAF and RSF has affected these refugees. (OCHA 07/11/2022, OCHA 13/06/2023, IOM 20/06/2023, UNHCR accessed 21/06/2023, UNHCR 20/09/2022)

The number of people estimated to need humanitarian assistance across the country in 2023 has jumped from 15.8 million to 24.7 million following the clashes that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in multiple areas of Sudan on 15 April. Drivers of the crisis include political instability following the military takeover on 25 October 2021 and the onset of conflict on 15 April 2023, a socioeconomic crisis characterised by high inflation rates and currency depreciation, and food insecurity affecting at least a quarter of the population, projected to further deteriorate.

As at 20 June, the recent conflict in April had displaced more than 1.9 million people inside Sudan and 600,000 people to neighbouring countries, mainly Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Intercommunal clashes and violence in some areas of the country, mostly in Darfur and Kordofan regions, also contribute to the high numbers of internal and cross-border displacements.

The flood season usually affects Sudan between June–September, driving displacement and increasing humanitarian needs. There were more than 1.1 million refugees in Sudan before the start of the conflict in April. The conflict between SAF and RSF has affected these refugees. (OCHA 07/11/2022, OCHA 13/06/2023, IOM 20/06/2023, UNHCR accessed 21/06/2023, UNHCR 20/09/2022)

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24 November 2023

Among the 4.5 million people internally displaced by the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces since mid-April 2023 were an estimated 105,000 pregnant women as at November. With 70–80% of hospitals in Sudan not functional, most of these women struggle to access maternal healthcare and medicine. A ban imposed in Khartoum on the transport of surgical supplies has made it particularly challenging for the women there to receive surgery. (UNFPA accessed 29/11/2023, Al Jazeera 24/11/2023, MSF 14/11/2023)

15 November 2023

Cases of SGBV, forced disappearance, arbitrary detentions continue to be reported across Sudan, especially in West Darfur. Increased armed attacks by the RSF in West Darfur between 2 - 5 November, including on an IDP camp, resulted in an estimated 1,300 people killed and around 2,000 injured. Affected people are in need of protection services.
(UN 10/11/2023, UNHCR 10/11/2, Al Jazeera 10/11/2023).

05 November 2023

The cholera outbreak first declared on 26 September 2023 in Gedaref state has spread to other states, with some suspected cases identified in Sennar state. As at 1 November, at least 2,332 cases, including 75 deaths, were reported in Aj Jazirah, Gedaref, Kassala, Khartoum, and South Kordofan states. Needs include clean drinking water, vaccine supplies, and testing kits. (OCHA 26/10/2023, Sudan Tribune 04/11/2023)

03 October 2023

Sudan is facing several disease outbreaks, including cholera and dengue fever. In Gedaref state, there were 264 suspected cholera cases, four confirmed cases, and 16 deaths as at 25 September 2023. Insecurity and access constraints challenge the testing and collecting of samples in Khartoum and South Kordofan states, where cholera has also possibly spread. There are shortages in testing kits and vaccine supplies. The rainy season, the impact of the conflict on the healthcare system, and water pollution are contributing to the spread of the disease. As at 18 September, unhygienic water storing in homes had also resulted in 506 recorded cases of dengue fever (including 295 confirmed), mostly in Gedaref state. Healthcare needs are likely high, as 70% of the hospitals in conflict-affected areas are non-functional. The remaining hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, with shortages of medical supplies and staff. (WHO 29/09/2023, UN 29/09/2023, OCHA 28/09/2023)

31 August 2023

Sennar state is hosting more than 291,600 newly displaced people because of the conflict. Most of them are staying with a host community or in rented accommodation. In IDP camps, there are shortages of food, a lack of security, and health risks, including a malaria outbreak, as shelters are flooded with rainwater. (Dabanga 27/08/2023, IOM 30/08/2023)

15 August 2023

The conflict that started on 15 April 2023 has highly affected education in Sudan. About 8.6 million children and young people need education assistance across the country, including approximately 6.9 million out-of-school children. Insecurity has closed many schools, mostly in Al Jazirah, Khartoum, South Darfur, West Darfur, and West Kordofan, and cancelled most national year-end exams. Nearly 90 schools in seven conflict-affected states are sheltering displaced people. As at 15 July, more than 1.7 million children had been displaced inside and outside Sudan, limiting their access to education. This contributes to the increasing protection risks that children have been facing during and before this conflict, including child labour and abuse, recruitment by armed groups, and early marriage. (UNICEF 03/08/2023, OCHA 17/05/2023, Reuters 10/08/2023)

27 July 2023

As at 26 July 2023, 272,000 people had been displaced to White Nile state, including 140,000 South Sudanese refugees escaping the conflict in Khartoum. The majority are staying with host communities and in camp-like settlements. They need food, shelter, healthcare, and WASH services. (IOM 01/08/2023, MSF 27/07/2023)

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 28/10/2023


Drivers

Displacement
Violence
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.8 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

SDN005 - Refugees

Last updated 28/10/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.3 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Sudan

Sudan: Impact of the conflict on children

17 November 2023

Sudan: Impact of the conflict on children

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

As at 30 September, the escalation of violence in April had forcibly displaced at least 2.6 million children, the largest in the world. The effects of displacement on children are deep and far-reaching, leaving them vulnerable to a range of physical and psychological challenges and often grappling with feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. 
 

Displacement
Sudan: scenarios

18 October 2023

Sudan: scenarios

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

The scenarios consider four different yet plausible futures for Sudan until October 2024, including their possible impacts and humanitarian consequences. Each scenario considers the differences in three main variables: conflict, governance, and socioeconomic conditions. Scenarios identify the potential change in people’s ability to meet their needs.

Conflict and violence
Sudan: North Kordofan pre-crisis and current situation

10 October 2023

Sudan: North Kordofan pre-crisis and current situation

DOCUMENT / PDF / 326 KB

On 15 April 2023, violence broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The violence that started in Khartoum quickly spread to other states, including North Kordofan, resulting in deaths, mass displacement, and the breakdown of essential services.

Conflict and violence

Attached resources

Sudan: White Nile pre-crisis and current situation

06 October 2023

Sudan: White Nile pre-crisis and current situation

DOCUMENT / PDF / 652 KB

On 15 April 2023, the alliance between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces collapsed into violence. The conflict that began in Khartoum has spread across the country, causing death, injuries, displacement, and destruction. The violence has displaced over five million people. The hostilities have not directly affected White Nile, but its safety and proximity to Khartoum have made it a main pathway for people leaving Sudan, providing a critical access point to South Sudan at Kosti.

Conflict and violence

Attached resources

Sudan: impact of current conflict on WASH needs

11 September 2023

Sudan: impact of current conflict on WASH needs

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

While some reports document disruptions to water services or the scarcity of resources for the rapidly increasing population in certain states, few have explored how the armed conflict has modified patterns of WASH service use and interacted with the country’s WASH infrastructure and the workers in charge. This report seeks to address this information gap.

Conflict and violenceWASH

Attached resources

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