SITUATION OVERVIEW

Sudan now among top four countries with highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition

More than 17 months after the brutal eruption of the conflict in Sudan, a series of recent nutrition surveys carried out by the Nutrition Cluster across all 18 states indicate an alarming deterioration of the nutrition situation. Sudan is now among the top four countries in the world with the highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition (GAM), at an estimated 13.6 per cent. About 82 per cent of the validated Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) surveys reported GAM prevalence of 15 per cent and above – higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency threshold. Surveys recorded GAM rates of 30 per cent and above – the famine threshold - in North Darfur’s Al Lait, At Tawisha and Um Kadadah localities. In addition, 64 per cent of the surveys indicated a high morbidity prevalence of above 20 per cent, with the highest morbidity prevalence recorded at 74.2 per cent. The nutrition situation is expected to deteriorate further in 2025 due to ongoing conflict, food insecurity, compromised health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, displacement, access constraints and disease outbreaks.

Multiple disease outbreaks reported across the country

Sudan is currently grappling with multiple disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, dengue fever, measles, and rubella, with an estimated 3.4 million children under the age of five years at high risk of epidemic diseases, according to the UN Children’s Agency (UNICEF). The crises stem from significant declines in vaccination rates and the destruction of health, water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure as a result of the ongoing conflict. The deteriorating nutritional status in Sudan puts children at even greater risk. Between 22 July and 29 September, over 17,600 cholera cases and 546 associated deaths—case fatality rate of 3.1 per cent—were reported across 60 localities in 10 states, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and the WHO. Lack of operational health facilities, treatment and medicines compounds the concerns of humanitarian organizations. WHO estimates that 70-80 per cent of health facilities in areas worst affected by conflict, such as Al Jazirah, Kordofan, Darfur and Khartoum, and about 45 per cent of health facilities in other parts of the country are now barely operational or closed.

Over 10.9 million IDPs in Sudan, of whom 8.1 million were displaced since mid-April 2023

Conflict continues to escalate in some parts of Sudan forcing more people to flee their homes and exacerbating the already humanitarian situation. During his meeting with the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council on 25 September, the UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the escalation of the conflict in Sudan, which continues to have a devastating impact on the Sudanese civilians and risks a regional spillover. In addition, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan expressed in a statement on 25 September her profound sadness and frustration over intensifying armed violence in Al Fasher in North Darfur.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that there are now 10.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of 17 September 2024, including those displaced before and after the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023. About 8.1 million people have been internally displaced within the country since the conflict erupted and have taken refuge in 9,058 locations across all of Sudan’s 18 states, according to the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Sudan Mobility Update 07. Prior to the conflict, Sudan hosted an estimated 3.8 million IDPs who were primarily concentrated within Darfur and Kordofan regions. Meanwhile, civilian displacement after 15 April 2023 has been more widespread. Most of the displaced people are from Khartoum State (34 per cent), followed by South Darfur (19 per cent) and North Darfur (14 per cent), reports IOM DTM.

The highest number of displaced people is in South Darfur (17 per cent) followed by North Darfur (14 per cent), and Gedaref (9 per cent). Additionally, about 2.2 million people crossed the border into the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Chad, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Libya, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) data portal.

On 16 September, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) reported that more than 23,000 fatalities have been reported in Sudan after mid-April 2023. Recently, from 17 August to 6 September 2024, ACLED recorded over 430 fatalities, mainly from Khartoum and North Darfur (117 and 163 reported fatalities respectively). ACLED states that its fatality figure is a conservative estimate due to methodological limitations of real-time reporting in a fast-moving conflict context, with real fatality numbers likely ranging significantly higher.

Nearly 600,000 people affected by heavy rains and flooding across the country

Throughout September, heavy rains and floods continued to wreak havoc in some parts of Sudan. Red Sea, North Darfur, and Northern states have been worst affected by the flooding, with tens of thousands of people displaced and homes, infrastructure destroyed, and farmlands inundated leading to the loss of crops. The rainy season in Sudan usually starts in June and lasts up to September, with the peak of rains and flooding observed between August and September. The rainy season is now winding down, with road conditions and physical access improving, especially to areas that were cut off during the peak of the rains and floods.

Since the onset of the rainy season in June, an estimated 596,600 people (109,400 families) have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in 70 localities across 15 states in Sudan, according to the Sudan Floods Dashboard. The most affected states are Red Sea (about 169,400 people), North Darfur (123,860 people), Northern (68,200 people), South Darfur (63,130 people), and River Nile (59,000 people). The Sudan Floods Dashboard indicates that 97 people have been killed and another 112 have been injured; 56,250 homes have been destroyed; and 45,000 homes have been damaged by the heavy rains and flooding. The actual numbers on the extent of the damage are likely much higher.

Of all the people affected by floods, an estimated 172,520 people have been displaced. The states with the highest number of people displaced by floods are River Nile, North Darfur, Northern, West Darfur and Red Sea. An estimated 44 per cent of the people displaced by the floods were already displaced due to conflict prior to the onset of the rainy season and floods, and thus have experienced secondary or tertiary displacement, reports the IOM DTM in the Flood Displacement Summary (Update 05).

Flooding compounds situation in areas at risk of famine

The floods have also affected some areas at risk of famine, creating a double whammy for an estimated 124,000 flood-affected people in areas where about 230,700 people are at risk of famine between June and September 2024, according to the latest data from the Sudan Floods Dashboard and the IPC June 2024 update. In Kutum and Tawila localities in North Darfur, 43,800 people have been affected by the floods, according to the Floods Dashboard, while the IPC reported 25,800 people in these two localities are going through IPC phase 5 (Catastrophe) and are at risk of famine. In four localities in Central Darfur – Azum, Bendasi, Wadi Salih and Zalingei - where there are 28,500 people at risk of famine, about 40,000 people have been affected by floods in the three localities. About 24,600 people have been affected by floods in Al Fasher locality where about 47,000 people are at risk of famine and famine conditions are prevalent in Zamzam IDP camp, according to IPC Famine Review Committee. About 12,000 people have been affected in West Darfur’s Ag Geneina, Kereneik and Sirba localities where about 35,800 people are at risk of famine. In South Darfur, about 1,200 people in Al Wihda locality were affected by rains and floods; according to IPC, 18,700 people are at risk of famine in Al Wihda, Mershing, Nitega and Shattaya in South Darfur.

Food insecurity has also been exacerbated by the increase in food prices, especially in areas where famine conditions have been reported. In North Darfur’s Al Fasher locality, sorghum and millet prices have more than tripled, while wheat grain prices have more than doubled over the past year in the same area , where famine conditions are prevalent, FEWS NET reported in its August 2024 Sudan Price Bulletin.

HUMANITARIN ACCESS

The conflict in Sudan has exacerbated the suffering of millions of people, leaving large populations trapped in conflict zones and cut off from humanitarian assistance and essential services. Having a humanitarian increased presence on the ground will allow for the delivery of essential life-saving assistance to the millions of people in need across the country. On-the-ground presence helps uphold humanitarian principles; distributions can be monitored; and enables humanitarians to respond swiftly to changes in the conflict-affected environment and be able to make more informed and timely decisions avoiding reactive responses based on assumptions.

Humanitarian life-saving supplies entering through the Adre border crossing

Aid convoys loaded with lifesaving and essential supplies have continued to cross from Chad to Sudan via Adre border crossing point after it was re-opened by the Sudanese authorities in August. As of 24 September, 141 aid trucks had crossed Adre transporting 4,357 metric tonnes (MT) of food, nutrition, medical, emergency shelter and essential household supplies. These supplies could benefit an estimated 532,000 people. The first relief trucks crossed the Adre crossing on 20 and 21 August.

Previously, aid convoys could only come from Chad through the Tina border crossing because the Adre crossing was closed by authorities in February 2024. Humanitarians continue to advocate for keeping the Adre crossing open beyond the three months stipulated by the Sudanese authorities. In her statement at the 79 Session of the UN General Assembly on 25 September, the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Ms. Joyce Msuya, called on Member States to support efforts to scale up the volume of assistance through the Adre crossing and to extend its lifeline beyond the initial three-month period, without the imposition of new processes that may further delay operations.

Furthermore, OCHA Sudan is following up with the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) on the resumption of the movements of humanitarian workers via Adre so that they can ensure swift response, carry out needs assessments, conduct monitoring, and engage with authorities on the ground to tackle access impediments being put in place. Meanwhile, discussions continue on the HAC proposals for additional measures at the Sudanese-Chadian border. Humanitarian organizations need clear, simple and predictable processes to be put in place. Adre is only open temporarily - until November. Recently, travel permits for aid workers have not been issued at the speed they should, especially into non-government-controlled areas. Understaffing at the relevant department of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is creating a bottleneck in issuing entry visas for humanitarian personnel, with many UN and INGO visas still pending. At the same time, the Sudanese Agency for Humanitarian and Relief Operations (SARHO) – the humanitarian wing of the RSF – insists that its procedures be followed by international NGOs and UN agencies, stating that otherwise entry and activities in areas controlled by the RSF will be denied.

Humanitarian life-saving supplies entering through the Tina border crossing

Access through the Tina border crossing point from Chad into North Darfur State – which has been flooded and inundated with flood water over the past few weeks - has started to dry up as the rainy season comes to an end, allowing for aid convoys to cross through. The Tina crossing is one of the routes needed to reach people facing food insecurity and related health issues in the region. There are currently 18 trucks carrying essential humanitarian supplies at the Tina crossing point preparing to cross into Darfur. In September, two trucks crossed through Tina – despite the impact of heavy rains and flooding - and reached East Darfur with relief supplies.

Meanwhile, the planned inter-agency needs assessment mission to Zamzam IDP camp and other areas in North Darfur with a high concentration of IDPs was postponed because of the escalating violence in Al Fasher.

During a two-day mission to Port Sudan between 8 and 9 September, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the Regional Director, Dr Hanan Balkhy, stressed the critical need for unhindered humanitarian access to ensure that life-saving aid reaches everyone in need, regardless of their location.

Humanitarian response

Despite access challenges and funding gaps, 153 humanitarian partners operating in Sudan reached about 8 million of the 14.7 million people targeted for assistance with some form of humanitarian assistance between January 2024 and the end of July, according to the latest Sudan Humanitarian Response Dashboard. This includes about 6.8 million people who received food and livelihood assistance; 8 million people were reached with WASH assistance; 2.2 million people were reached with health services; and 591,000 people were reached with nutrition assistance.

Health partners assist 1.3 million people in Darfur Between January and July 2024, health cluster partners reached 2.2 million people across Sudan with health services, including almost 1.3 million people in Darfur, according to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Dashboard (July 2024). Health partners report that 26 partners are supporting 420 health facilities in 47 localities in Darfur. More than half of these supported facilities are in Central Darfur (115 facilities) and North Darfur (114 facilities). About 75 per cent of supported health facilities cite a lack of medical supplies as one of the main reasons for disruptions in health services.

Responding to the needs of people affected by heavy rains and floods

During the reporting period, humanitarian partners have been working with the authorities to respond to the immediate needs of people affected by floods across the country. Despite providing humanitarian assistance to thousands of people affected by floods with temporary shelter, food for 41,000 people, non-food items (NFIs), and access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health and nutrition services, much more support is required. However, challenges facing humanitarian partners such as poor communications; high commodity prices; and delays in getting supplies into states due to active conflict, insecurity, and poor roads have affected response activities across all flood-affected states. This has left many people in dire need of assistance and resulted in gaps in humanitarian response.

In Abu Hamad locality in River Nile State, partners provided 200 hygiene kits and 1,000 mosquito nets to people affected by flooding, while a national charity organization distributed 1,000 tents, 1,000 plastic sheets, 2,000 mosquito nets and 1,000 food baskets. In the Al Ubaidiya area of Barbar locality, a national NGO (NNGO) distributed 1,000 food baskets and NFIs to people affected. The supplies distributed included shelter materials, tarpaulins, and essential food items such as sugar, flour, lentils, dates, pasta and rice. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected an estimated 58,000 people; destroyed 11,237 homes, and damaged 289 homes in Abu Hamad locality.

In Dongola locality in Northern State, a local partner in partnership with a UN agency distributed NFI kits to 427 families (about 2,100 people) affected by floods in Hafier, Akad and Makjur villages. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected over 13,000 people; destroyed 137 homes, and damaged 2,457 homes in Dongola locality.

In Ed Al Fursan town in South Darfur State, WHO and the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) sent medical supplies to Al Fursan rural hospital, while humanitarian partners delivered 507 NFI kits to areas affected by flash floods. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected an estimated 51,400 people; destroyed 1,050 homes, and damaged 7,520 homes Ed Al Fursan locality.

In Red Sea State, humanitarian partners provided food, cash, nutrition, health and NFI supplies to people affected by flooding. In Port Sudan, partners distributed 144 metric tonnes (MT) of cereals, pulses, oil, and salt to 2,000 people affected by the collapse of the Arba’at dam. In Sawakin town, 744 families (3,720 people) received cash assistance, and 2,223 heads of livestock were vaccinated. In Tawkar locality, nutrition partners distributed 4MT of plumpy’doz to 2,000 people and conducted a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening for 1,456 children under 5 years. Nutrition supplies were provided to 160 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM); 434 children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM); and preventive nutrition support was given to 368 children and 34 pregnant and lactating women (PLW). WASH partners distributed 10 water bladders and provided drinking water to 3,000 households in Tawkar while water chlorination and disinfection efforts are ongoing. Shelter partners provided tents and NFIs to 2,100 people affected by floods in Arba’at and Tawkar. In Al Ganab locality, 80 children with SAM and 104 children with MAM were treated, while 40 children and 59 PLW received preventive nutrition support. Partners also provided infant and young child feeding counselling to 3,106 mothers (1,957 mothers in Tawkar and 1,149 mothers in Al Ganab). Health assistance was provided in Tawkar, Dordieb, and Haya localities with 10 health promotion sessions reaching 10,230 people; and 45 awareness sessions on social behaviour change related to waterborne diseases reaching 6,117 people. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected an estimated 169,400 people; destroyed 20,894 homes, and damaged 193 homes in Red Sea State.

In West Darfur, response to the floods has been constrained by logistical challenges, but efforts are underway to address the immediate needs of the affected communities. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and other partners are assisting flood-affected families through mobile clinics and distributions of emergency food assistance. Water trucking operations have ensured access to safe drinking water in the most affected areas of Ag Geneina town, the capital of West Darfur State. UNICEF-supported partners continue to distribute essential WASH supplies, such as jerry cans and chlorine, to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. However, WASH partners report a critical funding gap, which has hampered response efforts, particularly in areas like Sirba and Kereneik localities. According to the July IPC update, between June and September 20224, there are about 7,000 people in Sirba and another 17,000 people in Kereneik locality on the brink of famine. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected an estimated 28,200 people; destroyed 3,366 homes, and damaged 2,270 homes in West Darfur State.

In Central Darfur, response has been slow due to access challenges and constraints, but humanitarian organizations have been conducting assessments to determine the full extent of the needs of affected people. UNHCR and other partners have pre-positioned emergency shelter and NFI kits to be distributed to affected people in Zalingei, Bendasi, and Azum localities, and in the Nertiti area once conditions allow. Despite these efforts, the overall response remains limited, and the region continues to face significant challenges in addressing the needs, including for shelter, health, and food security. According to the Sudan Floods Dashboard, heavy rains and flooding have affected an estimated 41,100 people; destroyed 2,738 homes, and damaged 5,146 homes in Central Darfur State.

Humanitarian Funding

During the Sudan-focused high-level event at the UN General Assembly, the US announced nearly US$424 million in additional humanitarian assistance for people in need in Sudan and in neighbouring refugee-hosting countries. This amount includes more than $276 million through USAID and more than $147 million through the US Department of State. USAID’s assistance includes $175 million to help purchase, ship, and distribute nearly 81,000 metric tons of food commodities from American farmers to support more than 1.2 million hungry people in Sudan. USAID and the Department of State’s funding will also support UN and NGOs providing food, health, nutrition, protection, and other critical assistance to vulnerable people in Sudan and in neighbouring countries. Other Member states and organizations also made some pledges, and actual amounts are still being verified. As of 30 September, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), a country-based pooled fund, had received US$99 million in contributions from 17 donors for this year. With these generous contributions - and some reserves from 2023 - the SHF was able to allocate more than $130 million over the past 10 months to its partners to respond to the continuously increasing humanitarian needs across the country. SHF is currently preparing a new allocation of $14 million.

Of the $130 million in allocations, $15 million has been allocated for the SHF rapid response mechanism. This has enabled partners to immediately access pre-positioned funds to respond to new emerging needs. These funds are currently being used for rapid interventions in response to the floods and cholera outbreak. Close to $7 million was allocated to support mutual aid groups and other civil society organizations, and around $8 million has been allocated to respond to specific new emergencies, such as new civilian displacement. Similarly, the $14 million allocation currently under processing will respond to recent emerging humanitarian needs resulting from the cholera outbreak, the Arbaat dam collapse and floods in Red Sea, and the destruction of hospitals in East and North Darfur. The allocation is expected to be approved during late September.

Almost $100 million has been allocated to respond to the food crisis

Anticipating the upcoming famine crisis and the related needs, the SHF depleted its reserves from December 2023 through April 2024, allowing its partners to begin the famine response before June 2024, when the lean season started. Because these allocations were programmed through decentralized consultations with cluster focal points and OCHA staff active at the state level, they reached the people who need the assistance the most. For example, over 50 per cent of the $100 million solely targeted 19 localities identified by IPC at risk of famine in July 2024. Furthermore, 42 per cent of the funding targeted the localities with the highest number of IDPs.

With its forward-looking, timely, flexible and consultative approach, the SHF not only assures the highest impact of the funds received from its donors, but also empowers the decentralized humanitarian coordination system, prioritizes protection interventions and advances the localization agenda. SHF allocates funding based on “a no-regret approach”, and clarity to its partners on what risks it is willing to absorb, with partners accepting this funding to respond to the needs in hardest-to-reach areas. This creates an urgently needed humanitarian presence in these areas, thus improving access and creating opportunities for future funding and operations.

The Central Emergency Response Fund allocates $25 million

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan has applied this same targeted focus to the allocations from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). In early January, the HC requested an urgent Rapid Response allocation to ramp up the response to the looming food crisis. Likewise, the yearly Underfunded Emergency allocation prioritized - besides the protection crisis - the food crisis in Sudan. The most recent second Rapid Response allocation of $25 million (bringing the total amount allocated by CERF to over $66 million and making Sudan the largest recipient of CERF funding) allocates almost $24 million to these same 19 localities at risk of famine previously targeted by the SHF.

Almost ten months into the year, the 2024 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) is funded at 49 per cent. More funding is urgently needed to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the county. While access remains a challenge, the fact that almost 80 per cent of SHF’s projects have started without delay reinforces meaningful and timely response in Sudan, even in the hardest-to-reach areas. The SHF still requires $40 million to process its planned allocations, in particular the renewal of its rapid response mechanism and grants for mutual aid groups, and to assure the response in the areas most in need can continue once its allocations of this year have been depleted.

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For the PDF: Sudan Humanitarian Update (1 October 2024)

(Port Sudan, 23 September 2024) – As world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, urged Member States and the international community to focus on the plight of millions of people in Sudan who have endured more than 17 months of brutal conflict, which has resulted in the world’s fastest-growing civilian displacement and humanitarian crisis.

“Humanitarians across Sudan are calling on the international community to step up to end the devastating conflict and ensure unrestricted access so that more than 150 aid organizations operating in the country can reach the millions of people facing acute hunger and disease – and staring down famine,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami said.

The crisis in Sudan and the region will take centre stage at UN Headquarters on Wednesday, 25 September, when Member States join together with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Refugee Agency, to call for urgent and collective support to address the humanitarian catastrophe and push for peace.

“This is exactly why the UN was created: to prevent war and alleviate human suffering,” the Humanitarian Coordinator added. "Each passing hour means women and children in parts of El Fasher, Khartoum, Aj Jazirah, Sennar and other areas directly affected by conflict are likely dying from hostilities, malnutrition, or illness.”

Since the conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, an estimated 20,000 people have been killed and thousands of others injured. More than 10 million people – or over one in every five people – have fled their homes, including 8.1 million who have been displaced within Sudan and another 2.4 million who crossed the borders to neighbouring and other countries.

In recent days, at least 1,500 people were displaced from El Fasher, capital of North Darfur State following the escalation of hostilities in the town. “Once again, I urge the parties to halt attacks on civilians, homes and essential facilities, such as hospitals, which are protected under the international humanitarian law,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami said.

The situation in and around El Fasher is of particular concern, after the Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification confirmed famine conditions in the Zamzam displacement camp in August. Another 13 areas, including two other displacement camps in North Darfur, are likely experiencing similar conditions and need urgent access and assistance.

Meanwhile, the outbreak of cholera and incidences of water or vector-borne diseases are aggravating the already dire situation that malnourished people, especially children and women, are facing. According to the Sudanese authorities, the number of cholera cases reported over the past two months has reached 13,300, including 415 related deaths.

Despite insecurity, access and funding challenges, humanitarian partners provided more than 8 million people across Sudan with some form of humanitarian assistance this year. Over the past week, humanitarian organizations started distributing emergency food aid for about 180,000 people in Zamzam camp.

Meanwhile, following the re-opening of the Adre border point between Chad and Sudan, UN aid agencies have moved 135 trucks with essential life-saving supplies for about 520,000 people via the crossing. “The aid through Adre and food for people in Zamzam camp, where famine has been confirmed, are a testament to what the UN and humanitarian partners can accomplish,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said. “However, unrestricted access and additional funding are critical to reach more people in acute need.”

Nine months into the year, the Sudan humanitarian appeal, seeking US$2.7 billion, is less than 50 per cent funded. This is constraining and limiting the response efforts of the UN, international and national NGOs on the ground, including in Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan and other areas.

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(Port Sudan, 19 August 2024) – Marking World Humanitarian Day (WHD), the United Nations and humanitarian partners in Sudan call on all parties to the conflict in Sudan, the international community, donors, and others to ensure the protection and safety of civilians and humanitarian workers and to hold perpetrators of crimes against them accountable.

“As we mark the World Humanitarian Day today in Sudan, we appeal to all the parties to the conflict, members states, especially those with leverage visa-vis the conflict parties, and the wider international community to end attacks on civilians and take active steps to protect them – and the critical civilian infrastructure they rely on,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. “We also call on all parties to ensure the protection of all aid workers, including those working for local and national partners, and their premises and assets, facilitate their work, including opening up and guaranteeing safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”

At least 22 aid workers– all of them Sudanese nationals – have been killed while on duty and at least 34 aid workers have been wounded or injured during this period.

“Our fallen colleagues have been doing their utmost to help the most vulnerable people in need despite the risks and lost their lives. Aid workers are not a target, and these attacks must stop,” she added. “Attacks against civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure are violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The perpetrators cannot go unpunished and should be held to account.”

The 16-month long conflict has had a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, over 75 per cent of health facilities are non-functional in conflict-affected states. Since April 2023, 88 attacks on health care – including on health facilities, ambulances and transport, assets, patients, and health workers – have been verified resulting in 55 deaths and 104 injuries. Destruction of power, water and sanitation infrastructure in conflict areas has led to increased risk of diseases and contributed to famine risk.

“All parties to the conflict and all States must uphold their obligations and leverage their influence to ensure respect for the rules of war and minimize human suffering. Fulfilling these obligations requires immediate and decisive actions,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said. “Turning a blind eye when humanitarian workers are targeted only emboldens those who seek to hinder their work.”

This impunity only increases food insecurity, childhood malnutrition, involuntary displacement and the spread of infectious diseases and other threats. “No matter what, we will continue to stay and deliver the lifesaving assistance to millions of most vulnerable people across Sudan, especially those already going through famine conditions and on the brink of it. The protection of civilians and aid workers as well as safe access must go hand in hand with upscaling humanitarian funding. More than seven months into the year, the Sudan humanitarian appeal, seeking US$2.7 billion, is just 33 per cent funded. This is constraining and limiting the response efforts of the UN, international and national NGOs on the ground, including in Darfur, Khartoum, Kordofan, and other areas. About 150 humanitarian organizations across Sudan have reached nearly 8 million people with some form of humanitarian aid since January. This is over half of the 14.7 million people whom humanitarian organizations plan to reach with assistance in 2024.

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For more information, please contact: Tapiwa Gomo, gomo@un.org; +249 91 217 0418

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has commended the decision by the Sudanese authorities to reopen a crucial corridor for aid to enter the war-ravaged country, his spokesperson said on Saturday.

The Adre border crossing with Chad has been closed for most of the year. It is the most direct and efficient route for humanitarian aid to reach millions in Sudan's Darfur region who are facing record levels of acute hunger.

Food security experts recently declared that the war between rival Sudanese militaries, which erupted in April 2023, has pushed parts of North Darfur state into famine, particularly the Zamzam camp where more than half a million displaced people are sheltering.

Unhindered humanitarian access

“The Secretary-General underscores the importance of concrete and sustained measures to facilitate humanitarian access and protect civilians, in accordance with the obligations of Sudanese parties under international humanitarian law and previously agreed modalities,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

"Humanitarian organizations must have full, safe and unhindered access to reach all civilians in need across Darfur, and across the country as a whole," he added.

The statement concluded by underlining the UN’s full committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to help end the conflict in Sudan and alleviate the suffering of the population.

Scaling up assistance

The Sudanese authorities revoked permission to use the Adre crossing back in February, making the Tine crossing the sole route for cross-border humanitarian aid delivery from Chad.

On Friday, UN agencies including the World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed the news of its reopening.

The development will allow WFP to scale up assistance to 14 areas facing famine in Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Al Jazirah.

The aim is to support up to 8.4 million people by the end of the year.

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(Port Sudan, 16 August 2024) – As the humanitarian community races against time to fight famine in parts of Darfur and other conflict-affected areas, the top United Nations official in Sudan today welcomed the decision by the Sudanese authorities to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid through the Adre border crossing point from Chad to Darfur.

“The Adre crossing is a critical lifeline for the people of Sudan,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan. “This humanitarian route will help us deliver emergency food and nutrition supplies, medicine, shelter, and other life-saving assistance to millions of people in desperate need.”

Following the closure of the Adre crossing point by the Sudanese authorities in February, the UN and its humanitarian partners have been using the Tine border crossing into North Darfur. Heavy rains and flooding in recent weeks have significantly impeded aid being transported through Tine. Humanitarian organizations have relief supplies in eastern Chad that are ready to move via Adre crossing.

“We have been relentlessly advocating for the reopening of the Adre crossing, as it is the most effective and shortest route to deliver humanitarian assistance to Sudan at the scale and speed required, especially to Darfur,” Ms. Nkweta-Salami said. “Every minute and every mile counts – and can mean the difference between life and death for the millions of people affected by this conflict.”

Food insecurity in Sudan has reached record levels, with nearly 26 million people in acute hunger. On 1 August, famine conditions were confirmed in Zamzam displacement camp near Al Fasher in North Darfur. Food security experts warn that civilians in a further 13 localities in other parts of Sudan are at risk of famine.

“Given what is at stake, it is essential to expedite humanitarian access by keeping the Adre border crossing open permanently to avoid delays. Additionally, all parties must remove all unnecessary bureaucratic impediments into Darfur and other areas facing acute needs, guarantee the safety and security of aid workers and assets in Al Fasher and facilitate unimpeded aid delivery through all possible routes into and within the country, including across conflict lines as agreed in the Jeddah Declaration,” said Ms. Nkweta-Salami.

Ms. Nkweta-Salami also underscored the need for urgent funds to scale up efforts to reach all people in need. More than seven months into the year, the $2.7 billion Sudan humanitarian appeal for 2024 is just 33 per cent funded, constraining and limiting the response by the UN, international and national NGOs in Sudan, including in Darfur, Kordofan and Khartoum. More than 125 humanitarian organizations are on the ground and have reached nearly 8 million people with some form of humanitarian aid since January.

For more information, please contact: Tapiwa Gomo, gomo@un.org; +249 91 217 0418***

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) results for Sudan delivered in late 2023 depicted a dire picture of increasing food insecurity and malnutrition across Sudan, particularly in areas hit by conflict and access constraints. Those concerns have been confirmed in various reports since the release of the December 2023 IPC, including the FAO Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM), which reported significant decreases in cereal production compared to 2022, the WFP Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment (CFSVA) and the release by FEWSNet of its Food Security Outlook from March - September 2024 that includes a famine warning for some areas of the country hardest hit by conflict. Given the current conflict dynamics, the situation is expected to worsen in the coming months, which would potentially lead to a more formal “famine likely” warning based on expedited IPC results.

On 29 March 2024, an IPC alert for Sudan was released outlining the dramatic situation of food insecurity in country: “This [alert] has been developed based on the review of the latest evidence available and issued to express major concern regarding the deteriorating situation; and advocate for stakeholders to act immediately to prevent famine.” (IPC). IPC outlined that since the IPC results released in December 2023, “there has been a significant escalation of the conflict among armed factions and a rise in organized violence beyond the initial IPC assumptions made in previous analyses” (IPC March 2024). As the IPC alert published in March 2024 states: “Catastrophe (IPC 5) is expected among households in parts of West Darfur, Khartoum, and among the displaced population more broadly, particularly in hard-to-reach areas of Greater Darfur.” Immediate actions are key to “prevent widespread death and total collapse of livelihoods and avert a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan”. (IPC Alert, March 2024).

As a mitigation measure, this famine prevention operational plan responds to the strategic direction outlined by the HCT. It is a prioritization of the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and seeks to build on existing and previous physical presence and recent efforts to align the coordination with realities on the ground. The approach is based on experience in other successful famine prevention operations adapted to the Sudan context. This plan is predicated on integrated responses led by Food Security, Nutrition, Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) clusters with important contributions by other clusters, all of which is underpinned by an emphasis on the Centrality of Protection guided by the Protection Cluster and emphasizes the importance of mainstreaming crosscutting themes such as accountability to affected populations (AAP), protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and gender-based violence (GBV) into the strategy.

For the full document click here: Sudan: Famine Prevention Plan 2024