SITUATION OVERVIEW
Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. By all measures – the scale of escalating needs, the numbers of people displaced and facing potential famine – Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory leading to 13 per cent of the global internally displaced persons load –1 in every 8 internally displaced person worldwide.
On 29 March 2024, an IPC alert for Sudan was released outlining the dramatic situation of food insecurity in the country. Alarmingly 17.7 million people – more than one-third of the country’s population – are facing acute food insecurity (IPC3+) under a warning of potential famine issued by FEWS NET and underwritten by the Global IPC Group. Of these, 4.9 million people are on the brink of famine. Nearly 9 out of 10 people in IPC4 are in conflict-affected areas in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Aj Jazirah. With the onset of the lean season from April onwards, food insecurity is expected to further worsen. Khartoum and Aj Jazirah states, as well as greater Darfur and greater Kordofan, could face catastrophic outcomes in case of further intensification of the conflict, resulting on sustained displacement, and limited to no humanitarian access to to the population in need. Of highest concern are North Darfur and Khartoum states, including Omdurman locality, as well as areas in greater Darfur hosting IDPs in overcrowded camps.
On 12 April, humanitarian partners issued the Sudan Famine Prevention Plan 2024 to mitigate the food security crisis. Through the plan, 7.6 million people in 167 priority localities across the country will be provided live-saving assistance over a period of six months. A minimum of US $400 million is required immediately to be able to preposition supplies and respond before the start of the rainy season.
As food insecurity increases the nutrition situation continues to deteriorate. A staggering 4.9 million children under five years and pregnant and nursing women are estimated to be acutely malnourished in 2024 and need urgent lifesaving assistance. This is a 22 per cent increase compared to 2023. Out of the 4.9 million, about 730,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
Paris Conference, 15 April 2024
On 15 April 2024 - one year after the start of the conflict - an international humanitarian conference was held in Paris, France; bringing together ministers and representatives of 58 states, regional organizations, United Nations, International NGOs, International Organizations, and donors to talk about the situation in Sudan and ensure the crisis is not forgotten. International donors announced they would provide more than US$2 billion, including nearly €900 million from the European Union and its Member States, to support civilian populations in Sudan and those who sought refuge in neighbouring countries in 2024.
Over 8.7 million displaced since mid-April 2023
More people have fled conflict in the past year in Sudan than anywhere else in the world following the eruption of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023. More than 8.7 million people have fled their homes, including 4.6 million children. An estimated 6.7 million people have been forcibly displaced within the country and have taken refuge in 7,143 locations, according to the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM), Sudan Weekly Displacement Snapshot 28. The highest proportion of IDPs are in South Darfur (11 per cent), River Nile (10 per cent), and East Darfur (10 per cent) states.
IOM DTM field teams report that the IDPs were originally displaced from 12 states. About 53 per cent of them, 3.6 million, were displaced from Khartoum State, followed by South Darfur (15 per cent), Aj Jazirah (10 per cent), North Darfur (9 per cent), Central Darfur (4 per cent), West Darfur (4 per cent), and other states. More than 2 million people fled across the border, including 1.8 million who fled to neighbouring countries (651,000 people to South Sudan, 579,000 people to Chad, and 500,000 people to Egypt), according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Since 15 April, ACLED has recorded 15,550 reported fatalities in Sudan. ACLED recorded over 1,400 violent events targeting civilians across the country since the war began. Civilians in Khartoum state faced the most targeted violence, with more than 650 incidents and at least 1,470 reported fatalities.
Declining health system and increasing disease outbreaks
The national health system is barely functional and essentially defunct in some states, with serious challenges in providing medical supplies and fuel to hospitals and primary healthcare centres (PHCs). The childhood immunization programme is breaking down and infectious diseases are spreading with over 11,000 suspected cases of cholera, over 4,660 cases of measles, over 8,300 suspected cases of dengue, and almost 1.3 million cases of malaria reported across the country. The lack or inadequate level of basic social services, like water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) has exacerbated the health emergency and disease outbreaks.
About 5,000 cases of measles, including 106 deaths, with a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 2.27 per cent, were reported as of 15 March 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. This however only represents data from accessible areas and likely hides a much larger problem in hard-to-reach areas. There have also been outbreaks of measles in areas hosting large numbers of displaced children. The risk of measles outbreaks will be particularly high for mobile populations including IDPs, refugees, and others in camp settings. The risk of all vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks has been at its highest since the conflict broke out. The national routine immunization coverage for diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT3) had significantly decreased, while the Darfur region has reported only 30 per cent DPT3 coverage. A new emergence of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was reported from an environmental surveillance site in Port Sudan, reports UNICEF. While no paralysis in children due to the Polio virus has been reported yet, the probability of transmission among children is very high.
Despite an overall declining trend, cholera cases continue to rise with six states reporting active cases (Gedaref, Kassala, Sennar, Red Sea, River Nile and White Nile), bringing the total number of cases to over 11,000 cases and 350 associated deaths since the outbreak began in July 2023, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Sudan Outbreaks Dashboard. The actual number of cases are likely higher due to under-reporting because of a significant network disruption in February.
Fighting escalates in Al Fasher with over 36,000 people forced to flee their homes
As fighting between SAF and RSF escalates in North Darfur, over 36,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Al Fasher locality. The escalation started on 13 April 2024 when an armed group reportedly launched an attack on Birka, Sarafaya, Hillat Khamis, Jakho I, and Jartouna villages of Al Fasher locality, reports IOM DTM. This attack led to the displacement of over 34,000 people (6,870 families) to locations across Al Fasher locality. There have been reports of civilian deaths and injuries due to the violence. In addition, clashes erupted between SAF and RSF in Al Fasher town between 14-16 April leading to the displacement of about 2,000 people (390 families) across the locality. Overall, about 592,000 people have been displaced from North Darfur since 15 April 2023, representing nearly 10 per cent of the total displaced population in Sudan. Of all the people displaced from North Darfur, approximately 210,000 people were from Al Fasher locality. Al Fasher locality currently hosts an estimated 187,000 internally displaced people.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Despite challenges facing humanitarian operations, humanitarians continue to deliver humanitarian assistance and provide services to vulnerable people across the country.
Since 1 January 2024, 77 humanitarian partners reached more than 2.3 million people across Sudan with life-saving assistance, according to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Dashboard February 2024. This includes an estimated 1.3 million people who received food supplies and about 757,000 people who were reached with water, sanitation and hygiene services. In addition, about 389,000 people benefitted from health care, and about 154,000 people received emergency shelter and non-food items.
On 5 April the World Food Programme (WFP) announced the delivery of food and nutrition supplies into the Darfur region for the first time in months. Two convoys crossed the border from Chad into Darfur in late March, carrying food and nutrition assistance for around 250,000 people facing acute hunger in North, West and Central Darfur. These are the first cross-border convoys of WFP assistance to reach Darfur following lengthy negotiations to reopen these routes after the authorities in Port Sudan revoked permissions for humanitarian corridors from Chad in February. The temporary halt of the humanitarian corridor from Chad as well as ongoing fighting, lengthy clearance processes for humanitarian cargo, bureaucratic impediments, and security threats have made it impossible for humanitarians to operate at the scale needed to meet the hunger needs in Sudan.
The 37 trucks—carrying 1,300 metric tons (MT) of supplies—crossed into West Darfur from Adre in Chad and food distributions are underway in West and Central Darfur. However, there is no clarity as to when the next aid convoy can travel via this route, which is vital if the humanitarian community stands a chance of preventing widespread starvation in West Darfur. Last year, WFP supported 1 million people in West and Central Darfur with food transported via Chad's Adre crossing. Another 16 trucks—with around 580 MT of supplies—entered North Darfur from Chad's Tina border crossing on 23 March, while six trucks with 260 MT of food reached the area from Port Sudan a few days later. This was the first aid delivery to be transported across conflict lines in six months. Yet, fierce fighting, lack of security, and lengthy clearances by the warring parties have led to delays in the distribution of this assistance to people in need.
Health partners provide 850,000 consultations and medicines for 781,000 people during Q1 2024
Despite the declining health system, humanitarian partners continue to deliver health services to people they can reach. During the first quarter of 2024, 23 health sector partner organizations provided about 850,000 outpatient consultations (OPD) in all 17 states of Sudan, and medicines for about 781,000 people in 14 states. In addition, some partners supported 50 mobile clinics and seven ambulances mainly in Blue Nile, East Darfur, Gedaref, North Darfur, Sennar, South Darfur, South Kordofan and White Nile states. Since 15 April 2023, about 3.8 million IDPs have sought shelter and basic services in these eight states, which accounts for about 57 per cent of all IDPs since mid-April 2023. In addition, health partners assisted 34,842 deliveries, including support for 9,097 c-sections followed by 25,745 postnatal care sessions. In 2024, 45 health partners are targeting 4.9 million people across the country – 33 per cent of the total people in need - with essential life-saving health assistance.
IN FOCUS: Response in Blue Nile State
From 5 to 18 April, the international NGO ADRA distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to 130 displaced households from Aj Jazirah and Khartoum taking refuge in Blue Nile State. So far, ADRA has reached 2,051 out of the 2,500 IDP households targeted for multipurpose cash assistance in the state.
The INGO Relief International (RI) has provided medical consultations for 1,117 patients and reproductive health services to 102 women at six primary healthcare centres in the state. In addition, 719 IDPs from Aj Jazirah State received medical consultations, and 23 women received reproductive health services through nine mobile clinics in Ed Damazine.
UNFPA supported the Combating Violence Against Women Unit (CVAW) in conducting awareness campaigns in Raih Balak and Abramad areas in Ed Damazine locality. The campaigns lasted for five days and targeted 220 males and 242 females from the IDP and host communities. Discussions on gender-based violence (GBV) issues and activities such as drama art were carried out to raise GBV awareness. UNFPA supported two confidential corners at the Ed Damazine and Ar Rusayris hospitals and provided GBV services for 22 cases. In addition, UNFPA also continued supporting four women's centres in Ed Damazine and Ar Rusayris localities, providing referral services to the confidential corners and supporting income-generating activities.
UNHCR continued distributing clothes to refugees in Camp 6. So far, 400 families were assisted.
WFP is carrying out general food distributions targeting 11,660 refugees in Camp 6 in Wad Al Mahi locality with half rations for three months. The distribution will be completed next week. As of 9 April, WFP finalized food distributions (half ration for three months) to 2,158 IDPs from Aj Jazirah staying in schools in Ed Damazine and Ar Rusayris localities and to 7,884 IDPs affected by inter-communal conflict in Ed Damazine locality.
HUMANITARIAN ACCESS
Various challenges - insecurity, looting, bureaucratic impediments, poor network and phone connectivity, lack of cash, and limited technical and humanitarian staff on the ground – have been affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country. Fuel shortages also affect the movement of humanitarian staff and supplies and the generation of power needed for operations (maintaining cold chain storage, supplying water, etc). Despite all these challenges, humanitarian partners continue to provide life-saving assistance to the vulnerable people they can reach. The conflict – particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan – has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation. On 1 April, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) issued a decree extending the validity date of the registration certificates for national and international NGOs from 1 April 2024 to 31 May 2024. All national and international NGOs shall regularize their status during this period to conclude the registration procedures, which will officially begin on 1 June 2024. According to the HAC, the move is to ensure that the NGOs continue providing their services and deliver humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict.
Humanitarian organizations continue to move relief supplies across lines of conflict and borders when possible, bringing emergency food, medical, shelter, WASH and other supplies for most vulnerable people affected by the conflict.
In March and April, trucks moved supplies from Port Sudan to Darfur through cross-line movement. This includes 11 trucks (5 UNICEF and 6 WFP) carrying 455 metric tons (MT) of supplies to Al Fasher. Currently, there are 13 trucks (8 UNICEF and 5 UNHCR) en route to Al Fasher that are stranded in Ad Dabbah due to insecurity and lack of commitment. An Additional six trucks carrying 110 MT of supplies to Kadugli are stranded in Kosti due to active violence and insecurity along Abu Jubayhah route.
Since December 2023, no crossline delivery has been made via the Kosti - El Obeid crossline route due to active violence, insecurity, and lack of travel permits.
Cross-border movement through the Tına crossing:
14 trucks carrying 700 MT of supplies reached Al Fasher.
4 trucks carrying 104 MT of supplies are stranded at the Tina border crossing point due to new inspection requirements from authorities in North Darfur.
The movement of 21 trucks carrying 1,025 MT of supplies to South Darfur (8 trucks) and Central Darfur (13 trucks) has been postponed due to insecurity in Al Fasher and new inspection requirements which demand additional inspection in Al Fasher town. The trucks go through intensive inspection at the Tina border crossing. However, authorities in North Darfur require additional inspection in Al Fasher before the trucks depart to the final destinations. The new requirement has created security risks and logistical constraints due to the security situation in Al Fasher.
As per the Note Verbal issued by the Government of Sudan in March 2024 to use Adre as a temporary cross-border route, humanitarians have delivered 60 trucks, including the 13 trucks of food and nutrition supplies, to West Darfur, Central Darfur, South Darfur and East Darfur in April.
HUMANITARIAN FUNDING OVERVIEW
The 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) requires $2.7 billion to provide life-saving multi-cluster and protection assistance to 14.7 million people across Sudan. As of 25 April 2024, the appeal is 10.3 per cent funded, with $276.9 million received, according to the Financial Tracking Service.
For the PDF version: Sudan Humanitarian Update, 25 April 2024