Sudan

Sudan in numbers

• Up to 150,000 people have been killed so far, making the conflict in Sudan one of deadliest in the world.
• 30.4 million people - over half the population - need urgent humanitarian assistance.
• 24.6 million people have extremely limited access to food.
• 3.5 million children are malnourished.
• More than 90% of schools remain closed.
• Two out of three people in Sudan no longer have access to essential health services.
• 80% of hospitals are out of service in affected areas.
• 12 out of 18 states in Sudan are struggling to contain simultaneous outbreaks of three or more epidemics, including cholera, dengue, malaria and measles.

Around 12.9 million people (over 30% of the population) have been forced to leave their homes. That’s more than the populations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined. 

1 in 7 of the world's internally displaced people are Sudanese. 

Famine has been confirmed or is projected by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in 10 areas. An additional 17 areas of the country are at risk of famine.

Since the conflict broke out in Sudan, over 3.3 million people have fled to neighbouring countries, including almost 1 million people to Chad.

The conflict has destroyed essential infrastructure such as agriculture, water systems and telecommunications. Schools have had to be repurposed into shelters for people in need. People in Sudan are also dealing with frequent floods.

Sudan’s health system is on the brink of collapse. Healthcare facilities are being attacked and the remaining hospitals and healthcare facilities are overwhelmed and under-resourced.

What is the Red Cross doing in Sudan?

Access for humanitarian aid remains challenging. However, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is able to provide aid because of support for the Sudanese Red Crescent in local communities.

The Sudanese Red Crescent has been providing ongoing humanitarian assistance on the ground since the beginning of the conflict. Red Crescent volunteers have been providing emergency first aid, conducting search and rescue, facilitating evacuations, reuniting families and much more.

With more than 12,000 volunteers, the Sudanese Red Crescent has reached almost 8 million people with life-saving assistance. The Red Crescent has also provided essential services to people who have had to flee their homes. They provide water, food, accommodation, shelter and household items.

Special attention is given to women and children by setting up safe spaces, providing protection and psychosocial support services. Women and girls are being disproportionately affected by food insecurity and lack of access to water and sanitation. The rate of gender-based violence has doubled since the beginning of the conflict.

Red Crescent staff have been attacked, shot and killed in the line of duty. Despite this, the Sudanese Red Crescent is continuing negotiations and discussions to get all parties to respect international humanitarian law.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has also been providing support in Sudan. They are:

• Improving water and sanitation services for over 400,000 people.
• Offering food and agricultural support to over 80,000 people.
• Providing cash assistance to over 71,000 people.
• Helping more than 1 million people fleeing the conflict in neighbouring countries.

Supporting Sudanese refugees in Chad

The Sudan conflict is taking place in Sudan but has a spillover effect into neighbouring countries including Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya. These countries have received millions of refugees fleeing Sudan.

Many have received support from local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. In total, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has supported over 1 million people fleeing the conflict.

This includes volunteers from the Red Cross of Chad who are supporting refugees who have fled across the border. They provide basic shelter, health and sanitation services, both in the camps and at Humanitarian Service Points at the border.

They also provide water, food, cash, household items and help reunite families. They have already reached around 250,000 people.

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