War in Sudan has created a complex humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and leaving many in urgent need of assistance. In a Policy and Programming Note, INTERSOS highlights the current challenges and delivers a key set of recommendations and programmatic priorities.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has triggered a devastating humanitarian crisis. The number of people needing assistance has grown from 15.8 million before the war to 25 million today. Over 11.2 million people have been forcibly displaced, including 8.1 million internally and 3.1 million who have fled to neighbouring countries seeking safety.
INTERSOS, after working in Sudan for 12 years (2004-2015), has returned in response to this escalating crisis. Our teams are providing essential health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in West Darfur, Central Darfur, River Nile, and Kassala States. We are also assisting refugees in neighbouring countries like Chad, South Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Libya, as well as those who have reached Italy and Greece.
This Policy and Programming Note was prepared for the ‘600 Days of War in Sudan’ organised by the Mixed Migration Centre (MMC), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that took place on December 3-4, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya. With the following note, INTERSOS objective is to highlight the current challenges impacting both displaced populations and humanitarian organisations emanating from the Sudan conflict in both Sudan and its neighbouring countries, as well as delivering a key set of recommendations and programmatic priorities.
Limited resources in host countries, coupled with the influx of refugees, have led to soaring prices and increased competition for essential goods and services. Inside Sudan, on the other hand, the conflict has also worsened ethnic tensions, leading to targeted violence. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, including sexual assault and forced marriage, while the breakdown of social structures and limited access to justice has made the situation even worse. Children face risks of separation from families, exploitation, abuse, and recruitment into armed groups. The disruption of education systems further compounds their vulnerability.
Humanitarian organizations are also facing numerous obstacles. Insecurity, bureaucratic hurdles, and restrictions imposed by parties to the conflict hinder aid delivery. Obtaining visas for international staff is a long process, hindering the deployment of humanitarian personnel. Securing permits for cross-border movements is challenging, delaying aid delivery. Attacks on civilians and humanitarian facilities further disrupt service delivery.
This policy note highlights the urgent need for increased funding and diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. It calls on donors to fully honour their pledges and prioritize longer-term funding commitments that support both emergency relief and resilience-building initiatives. The note also emphasizes the need for enhanced diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between warring factions, promote a ceasefire, and support an inclusive peace process that addresses the root causes of the conflict. Additionally, it calls on both Sudan and countries hosting refugees to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and recommends that hosting countries continue supporting those displaced, and promote social cohesion between refugees and host communities. Finally, the note calls on the humanitarian community to strengthen coordination, support local responders, develop coherent regional policies, and address the mental health and psychosocial needs of those affected by the conflict.
The situation in Sudan requires immediate action to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the conflict.