(Port Sudan, 25 July 2023) Yesterday marked 100 days since the eruption of war in Sudan, a crisis that turned a dire humanitarian situation into a full-blown catastrophe. It is a devastating situation, with the surging violations increasing the suffering of civilians. Thousands of people have been killed and injured. More than 3.3 million people have fled their homes in search of safer areas, both inside and outside Sudan. Many more remain without the most basic services – water, health care and food.

The humanitarian community remains steadfast in its commitment to support the people of Sudan, making tremendous and brave efforts to provide assistance amid very difficult circumstances.

Yet relief workers are not spared from the horrendous acts of violence and abuse. Humanitarians, including health workers, should never be a target, and it is shocking to receive reports of attacks against them.

Sadly, at least 18 aid workers have been killed and many more injured since the start of the conflict in Sudan. More than two dozen have been detained while some remain unaccounted for. Humanitarian facilities have also been attacked, with at least 50 humanitarian warehouses having been looted, 82 offices ransacked and more than 200 vehicles stolen. The looting of one warehouse in Al Obeid alone in early June left us without food that could have fed 4.4 million people.

The health sector has been devastated. More than 50 attacks on health care have been verified since the violence in Sudan broke out, resulting in 10 deaths and 21 injuries. There were 32 attacks reported on health facilities and 22 targeting health workers.

I strongly condemn all of these attacks: They must stop so that the humanitarian community can continue to deliver essential aid and stop the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. All the parties to the conflict must adhere to international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the protection of all civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as the unhindered and safe access for humanitarian personnel and supplies across the country.

For further information, please contact:

Guiomar Pau Sole, pausole@un.org, +254786633633

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SITUATION OVERVIEW

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued since mid-April for nearly three months, with violence recently being reported in Khartoum, Kordofan states, Darfur states and Blue Nile. In past days, fighting involving various branches of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has taken place in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. At least 1,136 people have reportedly been killed and 12,000 injured due to the conflict, according to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) as of 5 July. These figures have yet to be verified and only reflect data collected from hospitals, and actual figures are likely much higher. Most of the deaths are reported in Khartoum, North Kordofan and West Darfur states.

The widespread use of conventional weapons including field artillery, mortars, air-dropped weapons and anti-aircraft guns during the clashes have left unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in Khartoum and other urban areas such as Al Obeid in North Kordofan, Al Fasher in North Darfur, Ag Geneina in West Darfur and Nyala in South Darfur, according to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

New displacement continues to be reported across the country, with over 3 million people who have now left their homes due to the conflict. This includes more than 2.4 million people displaced internally, according to the International Organization for Migration(IOM) as of 11 July. The vast majority of people (72 per cent) have been displaced from Khartoum State (1.7 million), followed by West Darfur (11 per cent), North Darfur (7 per cent), South Darfur (7per cent), and Central Darfur (5 per cent) states. The majority of displaced people are staying with host communities, while only a small percentage of them have taken refuge in camps or shelters for displaced people. In addition, about 650,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as of 11 July.

The number of sexual assault cases is sharply increasing. The Combating Violence Against Women Unit (CVAW), under Sudan’s Ministry of Social Development, has reported 97 cases since the outbreak of conflict as of 11 July. This includes 51 cases in Khartoum, 25 in Nyala (South Darfur) and 21 in Ag Geneina (West Darfur). Actual numbers are likely much higher due to shame, stigma and fear of reprisal. Additionally, the CVAW reported the alleged kidnapping of two girls from their home in Bahri (Khartoum North) on 4 July and of a minor girl in Omdurman on 2 July. The heads of UN entities issued a statement on 5 July condemning the increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan and stressing the need to swiftly scale up gender-based violence prevention and response services in Sudan as well as in neighbouring countries, where those fleeing violence have sought safety as refugees.

Access to health care continues to be limited by the conflict, shortages of supplies, damage or occupation of facilities and assaults on medical staff. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in the number of attacks on health care in Sudan and the occupation of health facilities such as the National Public Health Laboratory, the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Medical Supply Funds Warehouse in Khartoum and the Central Blood Bank. WHO has verified 50 attacks on health care, resulting in 10 deaths and 21 injuries between 15 April and 11 July.

With the onset of the rainy season, there is an increased risk of outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases compounded by challenges in waste management in Khartoum and other conflict-affected states posing significant health risks. Interruption of vector control efforts to contain dengue fever and malaria is a concern. Reports of cases of severe acute malnutrition, dengue, measles and acute watery diarrhoea cases are being received by WHO from different states.

STATE UPDATES

In Khartoum State, fighting between SAF and RSF intensified across Omdurman since 2 July, with air strikes, heavy artillery and ground battles reported. Artillery shelling and heavy shootings were also reported in Khartoum and Bahri (Khartoum North). As a result, an unspecified number of causalities were reported among civilians as well as combatants. Several residences and a soap factory were reportedly damaged. Previously, on 25 June, 28 refugees living in a house in Omdurman were killed during clashes between SAF and RSF, while other refugees were injured, according to UNHCR.

The three states of eastern Sudan, Gedaref, Kassala and Red Sea, continue to receive newly displace people. Most of the new arrivals in Kassala reside with relatives or with the host community, while some families have taken refuge in the 10 gathering sites in the state. Gedaref has more than 38 gathering sites hosting internally displaced people, the majority of whom are women and children. There are reports of displaced people moving from Wad Medani in Aj Jazirah State to Gedaref due to the high price of living conditions and to seek better livelihood opportunities. Stocks of ready-to-use supplementary food in Kassala and Gedaref states have run out in all nutrition centres. In addition, scarcity of resources and limited access to cash are affecting the delivery of humanitarian assistance in eastern Sudan.

In the Kordofan region, insecurity and cases of extortion, looting and gender-based violence have been reported. There have been increased reports of the presence of unidentified armed groups/criminals in West Kordofan State.

In North Kordofan, displaced people have taken refuge in 14 gathering sites—including 13 school buildings and a club—in the state capital Al Obeid, and need urgent food, shelter and non-food item (S/NFI) assistance. People from nearby villages continue to arrive in Al Obeid fleeing insecurity. Local sources reported that Bara town (62 kilometres from El Obeid) was attacked and shops, pharmacies and vehicles looted. Several doctors were reportedly kidnapped. Many locals, including women, were reportedly physically assaulted by the attackers.

In South Kordofan, thousands of people have fled their homes following clashes between SAF and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N)-Al Hilu faction in Dilling, Kadugli, Habila and Talodi localities. Residents of Kurgol and Alrtdel villages in Habilia locality have also fled in fear of the escalation in fighting between SAF and SPLM-N.IOM reports that between 4,000 and 4,500 people fled to Alrgol and Katang villages within the same locality.

Blue Nile State is hosting over 36,000 people who fled Khartoum since 15 April, according to IOM DTM estimates. The displaced people are living with the host community or have rented accommodations. In addition, there are unverified reports from partners on the ground that an estimated 36,000 people fled their homes in Abu Nezir, Jorot West and Dem Mansour villages following the renewal of clashes between SPLM-N and SAF, that started on 25 June, across Al Kurmuk locality, reports IOM DTM. This displacement includes 32,000 people to Dindoro, 754 people into SPLM-N-controlled areas, and 4,000 to 6,000 across the border into Ethiopia. The rainy season has started and road access to various locations including Al Kurmuk, Geisan and Baw localities has become challenging.

In North Darfur State, out of the 170,000 people displaced since 15 April, about 15,600 people have arrived in the past week in Al Fasher town from Tawila locality and are taking refuge in 13 school buildings in Zamzam and As Salam camps for internally displaced people. There is a shortage of health and other aid supplies across the state.

In West Darfur, civilians continue to flee Ag Geneina town and are arriving in neighbouring localities, including Sirba, Kulbus and Jebel Moon. The most urgent needs are health, food, water, shelter, nutrition and education assistance. The food situation is dire, and communities continue to share the stocks they have, which will soon run out. The Kulbus Hospital and health facilities in Sirba have run out of medical supplies.  

In South Darfur, conflict between SAF and RSF forces continues to be reported in the state, especially in the capital, Nyala town. On 2 July, IOM reported clashes near the Police headquarters in Nyala town, leading to the displacement of about 200 people from Otash camp to As Sereif neighbourhood in the town. There are reports that the office of drug administration in Nyala town has reportedly been looted, and a group of armed men attempted to loot the Nyala North hospital on 3 July. In addition, a warehouse containing humanitarian supplies in Nyala was looted on 1 July. The Sudan Commission for Refugees (COR) offices in Um Dafog locality and in Al Amal refugee camp were reportedly looted.

Clashes between SAF and RSF have also been reported in Manawashi village, Mershing locality on 27 and 28 June. Preliminary reports indicate that between 14,000 and 14,500 people have taken refuge in Mershing town, Duma town, and Abu Ramlah village in Mershing locality, as well as in the Nigaya area in Shia'ria locality, East Darfur State, according to IOM DTM.

The Executive Office of the Native Administration for South Darfur tribes—a body representing the Bani Halba, Taaisha, Targam, Fallata, Misseriya and Rezeigat tribes—announced on 3 July their support to the RSF and asked all forces to withdraw their support from the SAF and join the RSF.

In East Darfur, needs are increasing as people from South Darfur, Central Darfur and North Darfur continue to arrive in the state. Humanitarian partners report that available food, nutrition, health and NFI supplies in the state are rapidly depleting, which will adversely affect refugees and other vulnerable people. During the current rainy season—usually from June to September—needs will further increase, and some areas will be cut off due to impassable roads. Humanitarian stocks in the state need to be replenished to prevent a break in services.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE AND CHALLENGES

Since the start of clashes in mid-April, humanitarians have worked hard to ensure the continued delivery of much needed life-saving assistance to people in need where and when possible. Between 22 May and 7 July, OCHA facilitated the movement of 631 trucks carrying over 28,500 metric tons of aid in 10 states. In addition, four trucks with supplies arrived in Al Obeid, North Kordofan, on 12 July.

Humanitarians have faced numerous challenges, including insecurity, bureaucratic access impediments, and looting of humanitarian premises and warehouses, which have hampered the delivery of assistance. Additionally, funding shortfalls, low capacity of humanitarian personnel and government counterparts on the ground, lack of fuel needed for the transportation of humanitarian supplies and staff, lack of access to money in banks, and the inability to deliver humanitarian supplies to areas outside the state capitals due to insecurity have affected the humanitarian response. All this is further compounded by power outages and poor internet and telephone connectivity.

CLUSTER UPDATES

Education Cluster: A digital programme called Learning Passport has been rolled out to support the Ministry of Education in Sudan. This programme, adapted for emergency response and developed by UNICEF and Microsoft, creates country-level sites available to learners to support continued access to learning for children affected by the crisis and displacement. The ongoing crisis in Sudan has massively disrupted children’s education, and the learning passport has allowed 22,300 newly displaced children, youth and teachers to access lessons both online and offline. Interactive learning resources in the passport platform are in line with the Sudan Education curriculum/syllabi-based learning resources.

Nutrition Cluster: The nutrition situation is projected to continue deteriorating further in most parts of the country, as the May to September period is characterized with peaks in admissions of severe and moderate acute malnourished children in treatment feeding programmes in Sudan. In addition, the inadequate or lack of health services resulting in low vaccination coverage against childhood illnesses and sub-optimal caring practices, will likely lead to an increase in morbidities among children under age 5. The Nutrition Cluster has mobilized partners to scale up nutrition services in all accessible sites hosting displaced people across the country using a combination of response strategies and modalities. Despite the shortage of funding and access challenges, in collaboration with other humanitarian actors, nutrition partners continue providing life-saving nutrition services across the country in accessible and hotspot areas when access opportunities allow. Nutrition partners have reached over 190,291 malnourished children and pregnant women, of whom 6,453 had SAM with medical complications; 82,000 were SAM cases without medical complications; 76,323 were children with MAM; and 25,215 acutely malnourished pregnant and lactating women. For the first time since conflict erupted in mid-April, 1,000 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) arrived in Central Darfur’s Shamal Jabal Marrah locality and was distributed to partners. The RUTF is enough to treat 1,000 children under age 5 with SAM. Moreover, a new shipment of 1,012 Modules of SAM kits have arrived in the country. These kits will help stabilization centres treat cases of SAM with medical complications.

Protection - Gender-Based Violence (GBV): The presence of armed actors and resource shortages—including water, food and fuel—continue to exacerbate the risk of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). Across the country, 22 GBV partners in 15 states continue to support existing service delivery points. Activities have been scaled up, with confidential corners and women’s centres established in states hosting displaced people and in some states that have been affected by conflict.

Remote services, such as phone-based psychosocial support and GBV case management, are being provided in states that are hard to access, such as Khartoum. Since mid-April, about 5,430 dignity kits and sanitary napkins were distributed to support women and girls to increase mobility, respond to their own hygiene needs and mitigate some of the protection risks. Since the conflict began, the GBV sub-cluster has trained 317 GBV actors and service providers in GBV in Emergencies, remote service provision, psychosocial support, emergency response planning, referrals, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

Protection – Mine Action: In response to the current crisis, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has broadcasted messages to mitigate the risk of explosive ordnance on social media, and plans are underway to broadcast via television and radio; produced materials in hard copy for distribution; and has delivered safety briefings to humanitarian and civil society organizations to raise awareness among their personnel on how to stay safe and avoid the risks posed by explosive remnants of war (ERW).

Shelter and Non-Food Items (S/NFI) Cluster: Since 15 April, partners in the Shelter and NFI (S/NFI) Cluster have assisted about 80,000 displaced people, returnees and vulnerable residents across 12 states—mainly Blue Nile, South Darfur, North Darfur, Red Sea, Aj Jazirah, Northern, Gedaref, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, White Nile, West Kordofan and Khartoum. Partners distributed about 12,000 NFI kits, 2,400 emergency shelter kits, 435 tents and 300 cash grants for NFIs. Moreover, 60 cash grants were provided for shelter, and 15 communal shelters were set up, while five generators were distributed to health facilities. Additionally, Cluster partners have also supported 50,340 refugees across White Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, and Blue Nile states with 4,057 NFI kits, 3,200 cash grants for shelter, 2,662 emergency shelter kits, 1,083 tents and 30 communal shelters. S/NFI partners continue to bring in supplies from outside of Sudan. Over the past week approximately 15,000 NFI kits have arrived by air.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster: Due to growing needs brought about by the conflict, WASH Cluster partners have reached about 2.1 million with basic water supplies, 2.5 million have been reached with hygiene interventions, and about 250,000 have been reached with sanitation services. Partners have provided WASH interventions in health and nutrition facilities, schools, and other learning spaces.

Refugee Consultation Forum (RCF): Remote protection monitoring is being carried out in refugee settlements located in areas where access is restricted due to security, notably in the Darfur states. In Aj Jazirah State, the Refugee Working Group was initiated in Wad Madani to support the coordination of refugee response in the state. Authorities in White Nile have cleared a new location in Abu Dolou, Aj Jabalian locality, for the establishment of a new refugee settlement. Since the start of the conflict in mid-April, Refugee Consultation Forum (RCF) partners delivered about 58,600 outpatient consultations, admitted about 5,000 refugees for inpatient treatment, and carried out about 4,600 antenatal care visits. In addition, 1,375 refugee children under age 5 and pregnant and lactating women received SAM or MAM treatment. To promote continued access to education in emergencies for refugee children, eight classrooms were built in White Nile, and 192 teachers were given incentives. Refugees were also provided with WASH assistance. About 19,300 refugee women and girls of reproductive age received personal dignity supplies, about 30,000 refugee households received soap, and 13 handpumps were rehabilitated for improved access to safe water. Food rations have been distributed to an estimated 487,000 refugees.

Logistics Cluster: Partners are actively monitoring and assessing cross-border entry points to move humanitarian cargo into Sudan in terms of accessibility, customs capacity and procedures. Port Sudan remains the main international entry point with the consequent difficulties in reaching some of the most affected areas in the east and with the peak of the rainy season approaching fast. The Logistics Cluster is supporting with sea transport services from Jeddah to Port Sudan and with storage capacity. Additional storage capacity has also been made available in Wad Madani, Gedaref and Kosti to facilitate the humanitarian response in surrounding areas.

FUNDING

Humanitarian partners require additional resources to scale up responses across the country. The revised Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$2.6 billion to provide life-saving multisectoral assistance and protection services to 18.1 million people until the end of this year, of which, only 22.6 per cent is funded, with $580.8 million received as of 13 July, according to the Financial Tracking Service.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), administered by OCHA, has recently allocated $40 million to to scale up urgent response across the country, including support newly internally displaced people with life-saving assistance & protection. About 30 per cent of the funds is expected to be spent by national NGOs. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has also allocated $22 million to address priority needs, in addition of the previously allocated CERF funding of $18 million under the underfunded emergency window, which has been re-directed towards the current needs.

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SITUATION OVERVIEW

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued for 11 weeks, with violence recently being reported in Khartoum, Kordofan states, Darfur states and Blue Nile state, including during the Eid al-Adha holiday despite both SAF and RSF having declared a unilateral ceasefire on 27 June. Since 15 April, 1,133 deaths and 11,796 injuries have been reported across the country by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), as of 30 June.

In South Darfur, 30 civilians were killed and 45 injured between 23 and 27 June in clashes between RSF and SAF in Nyala town, according to FMoH. In West Darfur, apart from targeted killings previously reported in Ag Geneina, summary executions and the targeting of groups of civilians on the road between Ag Geneina and the border was reported, while bodies were scattered along the road, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Capacities at border reception and transit facilities in neighbouring countries have been strained due to the numbers of people arriving, leading to overcrowding and the further stretching of already limited resources, according to UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

In Blue Nile, violence erupted between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/North (SPLM/N) - Al Hilu and SAF in Deim Mansour, Abu Nezir and Korabody villages in Kurmuk locality, according to the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). About 5,000 people have reportedly fled to Ethiopia following clashes in Kurmuk locality on 25 and 26 June, according to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) on 28 June. Additionally, on 27 June, residents of Adi village in Geisan locality also fled for fear of fighting reaching their locations.

Heavy fighting continued in Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman, with continued looting of premises, including homes and shops. As a result of the intense fighting, increased movements of displaced persons to Eastern Sudan and Northern State around the Halfa and Argeen border crossing points with Egypt are reported, according to IOM Regional Sudan Response Situation update on 27 June.

More than 2.8 million people have been displaced due to the conflict, including over 2.2 million internally and nearly 615,000 refugees, asylum seekers and returnees who have crossed the border into neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to IOM’s DTM and UNHCR respectively as of 4 July. The highest proportions of the internally displaced have been observed in River Nile (16.4 per cent), Northern (15.8 per cent), White Nile (11.4 per cent) and West Darfur (11.1 per cent) states. Most of them are staying with relatives in host communities. They were originally displaced from seven states with the majority from Khartoum (1.5 million), followed by West Darfur (256,000). Renewed clashes in South Darfur, North Darfur and West Darfur from 18 to 24 June have contributed to the increase in numbers of people displaced. Overall, about 670,000 people have been newly internally displaced in the Darfur region since the onset of the clashes in April, including many people who had already been internally displaced due to previous conflict in Darfur.

Many people have been left stranded and cut off from basic humanitarian assistance in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan states due to the conflict, according to UNHCR. Worrying reports of displaced civilians including refugees experiencing life-threatening challenges while attempting to seek safety within the country and across borders have been received. Due to the intensity of the conflict, vulnerable people have been left with little choice than to flee in extremely dangerous and difficult conditions, risking physical abuse, theft and banditry, and in some cases, denied movement out of conflict areas and forced back into harm’s way, according to UNHCR.

The protection of civilians remains a key concern, with reports of sexual and gender-based violence rising, as well as reports of family separation and grave violations of children’s rights. An increasing number of children are at heightened risk of child recruitment or association with armed groups, due to the closure of schools and lack of access to social services. Due to the nature of the violence and the trauma suffered, many children need psychosocial support.

Access to health continues to be hampered by the ongoing conflict. Health facilities lack sufficient staff and supplies and are barely functional in some areas. The violence makes it difficult for people to access health care, with many getting treatment late as it is too dangerous to travel to health facilities. Attacks and looting on facilities and health assets continue, as does the violence against health workers. The attacks on health-care facilities, equipment and workers are further depriving women and girls of life-saving health care, with pregnant women hardest hit, according to the World Health Organization and UNFPA. Out of the estimated 11 million people in Sudan who need urgent health assistance, over 2.6 million are women and girls of reproductive age. Some 262,880 of them are pregnant and over 90,000 will give birth in the next three months and need access to critical reproductive health services.

Prices of food commodities, when available, continue to soar. According to the World Food Programme (WFP) market monitor, the cost of the local food basket increased about 18 per cent to 527 Sudanese Pound (SDG) (about US$0.88 cent, at the official exchange rate) in May 2023 from 447 SDG (around US$0.74 cent) in April 2023 before the war, a significant increase. The basket cost increased by 24.5 per cent overall, compared to May 2022 (a year earlier). The highest cost of the WFP local food basket was recorded in North Darfur, followed by Kassala.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Despite a challenging operating environment, humanitarian organizations have provided assistance and protection services to over 2.8 million people across the country from 15 April to 15 June. This includes people affected by the recent conflict, as well as those who were previously in need. It also includes 1.3 million people who received safe drinking water; about 65,000 people including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women reached with nutrition services; at least 487,000 refugees that received a full food ration and 66,000 people who received shelter or non-food items (NFIs) assistance, among other services, according to OCHA’s Humanitarian Response Dashboard.

However, insecurity and bureaucratic access impediments, notably the lack of visas for NGOs, and attacks against humanitarian premises and warehouses continue to hamper the ability of partners to safely deliver aid and services at scale. Particularly, humanitarians are facing tremendous difficulties to reach people in need in conflict affected areas in Khartoum, Darfur and the Kordofan states, where the situation is extremely concerning. Tragically, at least 15 aid workers have been killed since the start of the conflict, many more injured and some remain still unaccounted for as communications remain dysfunctional in large areas. At last count, 44 warehouses of humanitarian partners had been looted, 76 of their offices had been ransacked and at least 188 vehicles stolen.

OCHA continues to facilitate the movement of relief supplies by aid partners from Port Sudan and across conflict lines, in liaison with parties to the conflict. From 22 May to 29 June, 494 trucks carrying more than 19,000 metric tons of aid have been delivered to Aj Jazirah, Khartoum, Gedaref, Kassala, Sennar, Northern State, River Nile and Blue Nile states. The arrival of humanitarian supplies from outside of the Darfur region into the Darfur states, which has been hampered by violence, insecurity and bureaucratic impediments, remains critical ahead of the upcoming rainy season.

FUNDING

Humanitarian partners require additional resources to scale up responses across the country. The revised Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$2.6 billion to provide life-saving multisectoral assistance and protection services to 18.1 million people until the end of this year, of which only 17.5 per cent is funded to date, with $448 million received as of 4 July, according to the Financial Tracking Service.

In addition, $40 million have been allocated by the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) through programmatic consultations with cluster focal points, agencies and NGOs present in the affected areas, who guided where the main needs are and the best-placed NGOs to implement. Of the $40, $6 million was allocated to grants reaching voluntary-based organizations such as community-based entities and the Sudan Red Crescent Society, $15 million was allocated to flexible grants, allowing the SHF to pre-position funding with a group of 25 NGOs that can access the funding once operational access is provided, while $19 million was allocated through area-based grants. The funding will support internally displaced people in areas accessible to humanitarian partners where a high number of newly displaced people arrived. SHF prioritizes protection activities and aims to allocate substantial funding to national NGOs. About 30 per cent of the funding will be spent by national NGOs. Out of the overall 39 selected NGOs, 12 are national organizations. About 22 per cent of the allocation will be spent on protection activities and 33 per cent on health response.

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(NEW YORK/GENEVA, 5 July 2023) Senior United Nations officials today voiced shock and condemnation at increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan – including conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls – since fighting erupted in the country more than 11 weeks ago.

They called for an immediate end to gender-based violence, including sexual violence as a tactic of war to terrorize people; for prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigations into all alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law; and for perpetrators to be held accountable. They stressed that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law to protect civilians, including women and girls, including allowing safe passage for survivors to access health care and for health workers to reach health facilities.

The heads of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Human Rights Office, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO) also stressed the need to swiftly scale up gender-based violence prevention and response services in Sudan as well as in neighbouring countries, where those fleeing violence have sought safety as refugees, to meet the soaring needs.

Even before fighting broke out on 15 April, more than 3 million women and girls in Sudan were at risk of gender-based violence, including intimate-partner violence, according to UN estimates. This number has since climbed to an estimated 4.2 million people. Since this conflict began, the UN Human Rights Office in Sudan has received credible reports of 21 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls. The victims include at least 10 girls. In one case, as many as 20 women were reportedly raped in the same attack.

The Unit for Combatting Violence against Women under Sudan’s Ministry of Social Development also continues to receive reports of conflict-related sexual violence. It has documented at least 42 alleged cases in the capital, Khartoum, and 46 in the Darfur region. Given the significant underreporting of gender-based violence, the real number of cases is undoubtedly far higher. Many survivors find it challenging to report sexual violence due to shame, stigma and fear of reprisal. Reporting violations and getting support is also made difficult, if not impossible, by the lack of electricity and connectivity, as well as lack of humanitarian access due to the volatile security situation.

Attacks on and occupation of health facilities also prevent survivors from seeking and accessing emergency health care.

Yet health-care providers, social workers, counsellors and community-based protection networks inside Sudan have all warned of a marked increase in reports of gender-based violence as hostilities continue across the country. Women, including refugees living in Sudan prior to the conflict have reported incidents of gender-based violence when fleeing Khartoum to other areas. Women fleeing across Sudan’s borders have told UNHCR and UN Human Rights teams in neighbouring countries of the horrific violence they faced.

The risk of sexual violence is especially high when women and girls are on the move seeking safer locations. There is an urgent need to ramp up assistance at reception sites for internally displaced people in Sudan’s conflict-affected areas, as well as in neighbouring countries.

Despite the violence, UN agencies are working to reach survivors. UNFPA is providing gender-based violence case management and sexual and reproductive critical care, including clinical management of rape. The organization also supports safe spaces for women and girls, distributing dignity kits, training service providers and expanding remote services where physical access has been disrupted. WHO is working with UNFPA and other health partners to ensure faster access to emergency health supplies. As part of its broader protection interventions, UNHCR is providing services to survivors, including medical and psychosocial support, while UNICEF is working on procurement of post-rape kits, risk mitigation, participation of women and girls as well as prevention and response interventions.

For survivors of sexual violence, timely access to health services is life-saving. In Sudan, women activists have underscored the need for more medications, medical supplies, dignity kits and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis kits to prevent HIV transmission for the clinical management of rape. These items must also reach local clinics, community-based organizations and key front-line responders when survivors cannot access health facilities.

Helping women and girls at scale requires generous support from donors. The revised Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan calls for US$63 million to fund prevention and response services for survivors of gender-based violence in Sudan, aiming to reach 1.3 million people. Funding requirements for protection programmes, including gender-based violence prevention and response for those who fled Sudan to neighbouring countries, stand at nearly $63 million in the complementary Regional Refugee Response Plan.

Quote Sheet:

Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA): “It is unconscionable that Sudan’s women and children – whose lives have been upended by this senseless conflict – are being further traumatized in this way. What we are witnessing in Sudan is not just a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of humanity.” Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “We are receiving shocking reports of sexual violence against women and girls, including rape. And in the aftermath of such cruelty and brutality, the women and girls are left with little or no medical and psychosocial support. There must be zero tolerance for sexual violence. All perpetrators must be held accountable."

Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): “Our teams in the region describe horrific ordeals being faced by forcibly displaced women and girls when fleeing Sudan. This shocking array of human rights violations must stop. Help to support survivors and those at risk is urgent, but so far, funding is falling extremely short."

Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA: “The use of sexual violence in conflict as a terror tactic is abhorrent and must never be met with impunity for the perpetrators. UNFPA stands by the women and girls of Sudan as they call for justice, and as we lead efforts to prevent gender-based violence and provide survivors with medical treatment and counselling. Our work is not done until they have all the support they need."

Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF: “What we’re seeing yet again is a rise in horrific sexual violence during times of crisis. It’s a pervasive, yet all too often concealed human rights violation, which can have devastating long-term physical and mental impacts on survivors. It’s critical to design prevention and response plans that put the needs of women, girls and all survivors at the heart."

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women: "Sexual violence is one of the most challenging international crimes to document and pursue in court. Pervasive stigma inhibits survivors from coming forward or seeking the support they need. This in turn limits survivors’ access to crucial medical and legal services, resulting in unresolved urgent needs as well as underreported and undocumented cases. Allegations of sexual violence must be rigorously investigated, prioritizing the rights, needs and safety of those affected."

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO: “The ongoing violence, including attacks on health, are preventing survivors of gender-based violence from accessing essential health services at a time when they need them most. Women and girls need to be protected from sexual violence, and survivors must have unhindered access to the care they need. Health workers and facilities must be protected."

Media Contacts:

OCHA: Eri Kaneko, kaneko@un.org, +1 917 208 8910

OHCHR: Seif Magango, seif.magango@un.org, + 254 788 343897

UNHCR: William Spindler, spindler@unhcr.org, +41 79 549 5998

UNICEF: Joe English, jenglish@unicef.org, +1 917 893 0692

UNFPA: Anna Jefferys, jefferys@unfpa.org, +1 917 769 7454

UN Women: Media team, media.team@unwomen.org

WHO: Media team, mediainquiries@who.int

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