The situation in Sudan drastically deteriorated when the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in April 2023. It is the latest development in Sudan’ s attempts to transition to civilian rule after the October 2021 military coup. This conflict has aggravated already critical humanitarian needs in Sudan and triggered massive internal and external displacement, becoming one of the fastest growing displacement situations in 2023. 

The impact of the conflict on the humanitarian situation in Sudan is staggering. Shortages in basic services and commodities are reported. As a result of fighting, the country faces a complex protection crisis of immense magnitude with unprecedented levels of violence against civilians, increased exposure to sexual and gender-based violence, multiple displacements and rising criminality.

The majority of internal displacement has taken place from Khartoum State to other urban areas in the country, stretching fragile local resources and capacities. This new internal displacement is in addition to an existing 3.7 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Darfur and Kordofan States. A large number of registered refugees and asylum-seekers previously living in Khartoum have also moved in search of safety both inside Sudan and to neighbouring countries. End-October 2023, the Office is addressing the needs of over 950,000 refugees and asylum-seekers and at least 4.6 million IDPs, the latter number expected to grow as the conflict continues.

The Office has recalibrated its presence in Sudan due to the conflict, moving the Representation to Port Sudan, establishing a support office in Nairobi and expanding the scope of the IDP programme. Programmes in the Kordofan States have been reset and the response in the Darfur States is enabled by a cross-border component from Chad.

This multi-year strategy will focus on a phased and area-based approach which considers different scenarios. It is foreseen that internal displacement and the outflow of Sudanese and other nationality refugees and asylum-seekers to neighbouring countries will continue. Humanitarian needs will grow due to increased insecurity, inflation, basic service and commodity shortages, disease outbreaks and weather-related disasters. Achieving durable solutions for the vast population in need will not be feasible in the near to medium term, requiring the Office to employ a flexible and realistic approach which can be recalibrated as the context evolves and opportunities become available.

Sudan currently hosts 18,000 central African refugees. Despite the current situation, the country supports durable solutions for refugees and advocates identifying holistic solutions that tackle the root causes of forced displacement.