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Country analysis

Sudan


Over 25 million people in Sudan – more than half the population – are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. The main driver of the crisis has been the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which escalated in April 2023 and has since resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries. By December 2024, more than 11.8 million people were forcibly displaced since the beginning of the conflict, including around 9.3 million IDPs and returnees and around 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers outside Sudan, mainly in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. By November, Sudan was hosting more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict has aggravated existing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability. Severe weather events, including floods and droughts, have further deteriorated the humanitarian situation. As a result, Sudan faces high levels of acute food security, with some pockets of Famine (IPC Phase 5) emerging in July in North Darfur state. Bureaucratic constraints, as well as violence against humanitarian personnel, assets, and facilities, continue to severely restrict humanitarian access, hindering humanitarian operations and aid delivery. (UNHCR 14/11/2024, OCHA 21/12/2023, UNHCR accessed 16/12/2024, IRC 17/04/2023, AWSD accessed 11/12/2024)

Over 25 million people in Sudan – more than half the population – are in need of humanitarian and protection assistance. The main driver of the crisis has been the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which escalated in April 2023 and has since resulted in thousands of fatalities and injuries. By December 2024, more than 11.8 million people were forcibly displaced since the beginning of the conflict, including around 9.3 million IDPs and returnees and around 2.5 million refugees and asylum seekers outside Sudan, mainly in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. By November, Sudan was hosting more than 250,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan and Ethiopia. The conflict has aggravated existing issues of poverty, hunger, and economic instability. Severe weather events, including floods and droughts, have further deteriorated the humanitarian situation. As a result, Sudan faces high levels of acute food security, with some pockets of Famine (IPC Phase 5) emerging in July in North Darfur state. Bureaucratic constraints, as well as violence against humanitarian personnel, assets, and facilities, continue to severely restrict humanitarian access, hindering humanitarian operations and aid delivery. (UNHCR 14/11/2024, OCHA 21/12/2023, UNHCR accessed 16/12/2024, IRC 17/04/2023, AWSD accessed 11/12/2024)

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10 December 2024

Insecurity and shelling have surged again in the Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur state since 1 December because of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, displacing over 739 households (about 3,700 people) by 7 December. At least 11 people were killed. The newly displaced have moved to Al Fasher and Dar as Salam localities in North Darfur. The 500,000 camp residents continue to be exposed to heightened insecurity and need urgent protection. The camp has been blockaded since April 2024, with armed groups restricting movement and access to essential goods and services. Insecurity is likely to further restrict humanitarian access, hindering the delivery of essential services. Food is urgently needed as famine (IPC Phase 5) conditions have been declared in the camp in August 2024. Needs for healthcare services are also increasing, with many injured people arriving at hospitals. (OCHA 05/12/2024, IOM 08/12/2024, RFI 08/12/2024)

30 October 2024

Between 20–25 October, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) increased hostilities in northern, eastern, and western Al Jazirah state, attacking around 100 towns and villages. The attacks included shootings, sexual violence, and looting. These attacks displaced more than 46,700 people mostly to Gedaref, Kassala, and River Nile states. A lack of transportation led many people fleeing on foot for as far as 164km. The RSF have also imposed a siege on the displaced people in Branko and Wad Al Fadl villages of Al Jazirah, preventing people’s movement. On 25 October, the RSF killed nearly 124 civilians in Al Seriha village, with reports of civilian properties looted, destroyed, or torched. Insecurity is limiting the movement of humanitarian staff, hindering their access to the affected areas and constraining people’s access to essential services. The displaced people urgently need shelter, food, healthcare, and protection services. (OCHA 28/10/2024, AJ 27/10/2024, TNA 26/10/2024)

30 October 2024

Clashes in West Darfur state, Sudan, have intensified, leading to a surge in the number of Sudanese refugees arriving in Chad. Since April 2023, over 680,000 Sudanese refugees have been displaced to Chad, with 49,000 arriving in October. Camps in Chad face severe overcrowding and shortages in food, water, and shelter. (IRC 28/10/2024, TNA 17/10/2024)

27 August 2024

On 25 August 2024, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of the Arba’at Dam in Red Sea state, affecting 50,000 people residing in the western side of the dam, mostly in Port Sudan city, and killing at least 60. The dam is an important water source for Port Sudan, and its collapse has likely affected water access. The affected people need water, food, and shelter. (OCHA 26/08/2024, AJ 26/08/2024)

06 August 2024

A July 2024 review of IPC analyses has confirmed Famine (IPC Phase 5) conditions in parts of North Darfur state, particularly in Zamzam displacement camp outside Al Fasher city. The at least 500,000 people residing in the camp urgently need food, water, healthcare, nutrition, and shelter. Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps in Al Fasher also likely face similar conditions. In total, IPC 5 conditions threaten 14 locations. Confirming these conditions in Sudan means that an estimated 20% of households are likely facing extreme food shortages and 30% of children are suffering from acute malnutrition. It also indicates reports of deaths from starvation. Humanitarian aid delivery restrictions and impediments by conflict parties continue to contribute to the increasing food insecurity levels across the country. (IPC 01/08/2024, WFP 01/08/2024, UN 01/08/2024)

31 July 2024

On 26 July 2024, heavy rainfall and flooding in Kassala state affected nearly 10,200 people (mostly IDPs from Sennar state), including five deaths. The floods significantly damaged homes and sanitation facilities, aggravating the risk of waterborne diseases, and around 400 shelters in refugee camps located in Shagarab. The affected people need relocation, food, and water. (OCHA 28/07/2024, UNHCR 29/07/2024)

03 July 2024

Food insecurity in Sudan is quickly deteriorating. More than half the population (26.5 million) is projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity between June–September 2024, an increase from 21 million between April–May. About 755,000 people are facing Catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) levels and need urgent assistance. The most affected areas are the Darfur and Kordofan states, Aj Jazirah, and some parts of Khartoum. Conflict and displacement are driving the deterioration by limiting agricultural production, livelihoods, and market access. Humanitarian access restrictions and armed group interference in aid delivery also aggravate the situation. For instance, on 30 June, unidentified armed men attacked a UN truck carrying food aid heading to Central Darfur state, limiting people’s food access. (IPC 27/06/2024 a, IPC 27/06/2024 b, UN 02/07/2024)

current crises
in Sudan


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

SDN001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 19/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement
Violence
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.9 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

SDN005 - Refugees

Last updated 19/11/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.1 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Sudan

Sudan Scenarios (2024 - 2025)

07 October 2024

Sudan Scenarios (2024 - 2025)

DOCUMENT / PDF / 3 MB

A region-by-region analysis of possible developments affecting humanitarian needs and operations in Sudan until December 2025.

Anticipatory analysisAudio

Attached resources

Sudan situational update: Khartoum state

14 August 2024

Sudan situational update: Khartoum state

DOCUMENT / PDF / 404 KB

The Sudanese capital of Khartoum has been the epicentre of the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that started on 15 April 2023. The eruption of violence in the capital effected a widespread disruption of social and administrative order.

Conflict and violence
Sudan: Food security situation

07 August 2024

Sudan: Food security situation

DOCUMENT / PDF / 900 KB

This report aims to highlight the food security situation in Sudan, focusing on the drivers of the crisis to analyse how it developed. It also aims to identify vulnerabilities among the affected populations to potentially target and prioritise aid.
 

AudioFood security & livelihoods

Attached resources

Ethiopia: situation and needs of Sudanese refugees in Amhara region

05 July 2024

Ethiopia: situation and needs of Sudanese refugees in Amhara region

DOCUMENT / PDF / 529 KB

This report analyses the humanitarian needs of Sudanese refugees hosted at the Kumer and Awlala refugee camps, those who left and are sheltering outside, and the factors aggravating the situation in order to support humanitarian decision-making. 

AudioDisplacement

Attached resources

Sudan: anticipated impacts of the rainy season

20 June 2024

Sudan: anticipated impacts of the rainy season

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

Sudan is anticipating severe humanitarian challenges during the 2024 rainy season, influenced by conflict and environmental factors. The seasonal forecast predicts above-average rainfall and higher-than-average temperatures across southern and central states, with potential La Niña conditions enhancing the rainy season from August–September. 

Anticipatory analysisNatural hazards
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