Attachments
Operational Context & Analysis
It has been one year since the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023, which led Sudan to become one of the world’s worst humanitarian tragedies and one of the largest internal displacement crises globally, forcing over 9.2 million people from their homes and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, including more than 1.9 million people who have fled so far to neighbouring countries. Two thirds of the afore-mentioned affected population are women and children.
The security situation in Sudan remains highly volatile, characterised by ongoing armed conflict, criminal activities and communal tensions. Independent UN Human Rights experts on 22 March expressed alarm over increase reports of sexual slavery and trafficking. This is being compounded by an increase in child and forced marriage, and the recruitment of boys by armed forces, access to support survivors has reportedly deteriorated since December.
In addition, fourteen months of brutal fighting is driving a hunger crisis in Sudan with some areas likely to experience catastrophic levels of food insecurity. The conflict has had a devastating impact on agricultural production leading to acute food insecurity, malnutrition rates a soaring and the obstacles to aid delivery are many. WFP warns that at least 25 million people are struggling with escalating rates of hunger and malnutrition.
As of June 2024, 7.1 million persons have been displaced within Sudan due to the conflict, including 219,503 refugees and asylum seekers, representing various nationalities including South Sudanese, Ethiopians, Eritreans.
A total of 1,9 million refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees have fled to Egypt, Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, and Ethiopia. While around 78% of refugees are women and children overall, in countries like Chad and CAR the current percentage of women and children is estimated around 86% and 80% in South Sudan.