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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)

Latest updates on country situation

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)

07 July 2023

Protection needs for teenage girls have increased since the start of the conflict on 15 April. At least 88 cases of rape were officially reported, mostly in Khartoum and Darfur regions, but the actual number is likely higher. There have been at least 4,400 estimated cases of gender-based violence since 15 April. (Save the Children 07/07/2023)

16 June 2023

More than 120,000 Sudanese people are trapped on the Egyptian border in Wadi Halfa city and are unable to receive the visas needed to enter Egypt. Most lost have lost their travel documents, such as passports, because of conflict or are unable to have them renewed after expiry. They need documentation assistance to seek asylum in Egypt. (AP 16/06/2023

06 June 2023

Escalating clashes between armed groups displaced more than 273,000 people from West Darfur state between 15 April and 2 June 2023. As at 5 June, the conflict had killed more than 440 people and injured 800 in the state since the start of fighting. Armed men have besieged El Geneina district, where most clashes are taking place. Hospitals and pharmacies have closed because of insecurity, and injured people are receiving treatment in their homes. Humanitarian organisations have been forced to relocate, and the delivery of food and other services is suspended. The prices of food items and other goods are soaring because of shortages in the markets.
El Geneina is facing power, communications, and water supply outages. Most displaced people try to leave for Chad, where more than 80,000 people have fled, but multiple checkpoints increase the risk of this journey. (IOM 06/06/2023, Dabanga 05/06/2023, Al Jazeera 03/06/2023)

29 May 2023

Insecurity and humanitarian access constraints continue to hamper the response to medical needs. Healthcare response continues to face a shortage of staff, as well as looting and attacks on facilities. An estimated 50 children in Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum may have died as a result of a lack of medical attention, malnutrition, and dehydration. (Reuters 29/05/2023, MSF 26/05/2023)

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

SDN008 - Violence in Darfur and Kordofan regions

Last updated 28/08/2023


Drivers

Violence

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.5 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

SDN001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 28/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement
Violence
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.9 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

SDN005 - Refugees

Last updated 28/08/2023


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.4 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Sudan

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

Sudan: Northern State pre-crisis and current situation

29 August 2023

Sudan: Northern State pre-crisis and current situation

DOCUMENT / PDF / 930 KB

Since 15 April 2023, violence in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has created a significant surge of people seeking safety in Northern state to attempt to cross into Egypt.

DisplacementFood security & livelihoods
Sudan: implications of financial blockages

11 August 2023

Sudan: implications of financial blockages

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

The 2023 conflict in Sudan has led to the damage and destruction of the banking infrastructure in Khartoum, the epicentre of fighting and where banking operators are mainly based. This has significantly affected cash access across the country, even in areas that currently do not have active conflict.

Economy
Sudan: West Darfur pre-crisis profile

18 July 2023

Sudan: West Darfur pre-crisis profile

DOCUMENT / PDF / 813 KB

On 15 April 2023, the alliance between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid  Support Forces (RSF) collapsed into violence over a power struggle. The conflict initially  erupted in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, but has spread across the country. The SAF and RSF had been recruiting and training  fighters in Darfur since 2022.

Conflict and violence
Sudan: Khartoum pre-crisis profile

11 July 2023

Sudan: Khartoum pre-crisis profile

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

On 15 April 2023, the alliance between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) collapsed into violence. The conflict that began in Khartoum has spread across the country, causing death, injuries, displacement, and destruction. Since 15 April, 70% of all documented political violence incidents in Sudan have occurred in Khartoum state. 

Conflict and violence
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