Sudan Humanitarian Access Situation Report (April - May 2023)

This report is produced by OCHA Sudan in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 15 April to 31 May 2023. The next report will be issued around July 2023.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Humanitarian access in Sudan remained extremely challenging during the month of May.

• Armed hostilities impacted the safety of the population and aid workers.

• Since the start of the conflict, 11 aid workers have been killed, dozens injured.

• Armed hostilities were mainly reported in Khartoum, and the Kordofan and Darfur states.

• In Darfur, the increase in violence following resumption of ethnic-based conflict has significantly restricted humanitarian access.

• The humanitarian community has advocated for the opening of cross border humanitarian assistance, such as from Chad to West and Central Darfur.

• Insecurity and bureaucratic impediments have been the main access obstacles. INGOs report having received only a handful of visas, with over 100 requests pending.

• Partners have faced delays or denials to mobilize aid supplies from Port Sudan to other parts of the country.

• Temporary ceasefire agreements between the main parties allowed for the mobilization of some sort of assistance to about 2 million people.

• Partners faced multiple incidents of “operational interference”, compromising their ability to operate in a principled manner.

• The targeting and looting of humanitarian assets, premises and warehouses throughout the country have seriously hampered the capacity of aid partners to respond.

• The conflict has had a major impact on public infrastructure, most clashes took place in urban areas.

• In Khartoum and other major towns, in addition to armed hostilities, the population has faced frequent power cuts, lack of access to health and safe water, and the full disruption of economic activities.

• Attacks against health centres and aid partners warehouses have depleted stocks of medical supplies, including vaccines.

• The upcoming rainy season (starting in June) will pose additional access challenges, due to the high potential for flooding complicating the movement and delivery of supplies.