Sudan crisis
Armed conflict that began in April 2023 has created devastating consequences for the people of Sudan. Six months on from the start of this crisis, the humanitarian needs, both in country and in neighbouring countries, continue to escalate with Sudanese people facing unimaginable suffering.
Plan International continues to scale up its response, both inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries, including Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia.
You can support our future emergency responses by making a general donation.
The crisis in Sudan
Armed conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces broke out on 15 April 2023, and since then has resulted in over 6,000 deaths and thousands of injuries.
More than 5.3million people have been forced to flee their homes since fighting began, including 4.1 million people who are now internally displaced.
Over 20 million people (42%) of Sudan’s population are now facing acute food insecurity and 6 million people are close to famine, according to the World Food Programme (WFP) .
At the borders of Egypt, many families were separated in the chaos, with mothers leaving their teenage boys in the direst circumstances because of visa requirements.
Those who remain in the danger zone that is Sudan, and the once-thriving metropolis of Khartoum, have struggled to gain access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical supplies. The damage to infrastructure, such as hospitals, police and emergency services, water and electricity stations, and prisons, has only made matters worse.
Protecting children is our priority
Millions of children are witnessing the horror of this conflict. The escalated violence will take a heavy toll on the mental health of children, young people and their caregivers.
We’re partcuarly concerned about the safety of girls, young women and unaccompanied children, who are increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence, exploitation, abuse and human trafficking.
How we’re responding
We are continuing to scale up our humanitarian operations in Sudan and in neighbouring countries, including Chad, Central African Republic (CAR), South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia.
As more refugees flee across Sudan’s borders into neighbouring countries, host communities in areas of arrival are struggling and a protracted conflict in Sudan could tip the entire region into a humanitarian catastrophe.
Sudan
In Sudan our initial focus was providing children and their families with food, clean water and other critical supplies. Our response then expanded to include child protection and education services. As of October 2023 we have:
- provided awareness sessions on child protection and gender-based violence and psychological first aid sessions to families and women at risk
- distributed water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) kits to thousands of people
- identified and registered 130 unaccompanied and separated children
- distributed play art and recreational materials to 2,900 children
- provided psychosocial support for internally displaced people (IDPs) in six schools
- built two classrooms for the Ministry of Education so children can continue their learning.
Egypt
More than 250,000 Sudanese have crossed the border into Egypt, seeking safety. Plan International Egypt have worked closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent to provide life-saving food, water and shelter to as many people as possible, as well as connecting them with their families.
We’ve also provided:
- emergency cash transfers for medicine to more than 500 families
- menstrual health management kits to 600 people
- hygiene kits to 800 people
- child protection services
- prepaid sim cards to support families crossing the border to reconnect with their family members.
Our response has also expanded to offer counselling support, safe spaces for children and referrals to trauma centres for families in need.
Chad
We have distributed cash support to 1,000 households. We are also working to establish a safe space for adolescent girls, that will also act as a child friendly space in the morning hours for children.
Central African Republic (CAR)
We have been working in protection and education – identifying and referring vulnerable children and providing protection kits to children who are either unaccompanied, or victims of gender-based violence.
With our local partners we have created child friendly spaces – and these activities have reach almost 1,000 children. We have also started training sessions on education in emergency situations.
- As a humanitarian and a human being, it would be an understatement to say that I am deeply saddened by the situation in Sudan.
The devastating conflict taking place at the moment has had catastrophic humanitarian impacts and infrastructure damage of epic proportions no less than the recent conflict in Ukraine. It has also touched me and my family at a very personal level. It’s truly surreal, one day you’re a humanitarian worker, the next day your direct family members are IDPs (internally displaced persons) and refugees seeking safety.
As someone who cares about supporting people especially children in crisis, I am reaching out to ask for your solidarity and support.
Latest updates
Struggle and resilience of people fleeing violence in Sudan
Struggle and resilience of people fleeing violence in Sudan
World Refugee Day: As the crisis in Sudan escalates, hundreds of thousands of girls and young women are at risk of gender-based violence and exploitation
World Refugee Day: As the crisis in Sudan escalates, hundreds of thousands of girls and young women are at risk of gender-based violence and exploitation
