Two years of war in Sudan: NCA is present

Enormous humanitarian crisis

April 15 marks the second anniversary of the outbreak of civil war in Sudan.

As a result of the war, Sudan is now the world's largest humanitarian crisis. According to the UN, around 30 million people will need help in 2025. That's almost two-thirds of the population.

Since the start of the war in 2023, 8,6 million people have been displaced internally within Sudan, and nearly four million have fled to neighbouring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration,  IOM. 

- As the conflict continues to rage, millions of people are still displaced – their homes and means of livelihoods destroyed, and their life savings looted or lost, says Dirk Hanekom.

UN FAO estimates that the livelihoods of nearly two-thirds of the population have been disrupted. Hunger and Heightened Insecurity Pushes Sudan to the Brink of Collapse

- Each day, the economic impact of the conflict continues to deepen, and there is still no clear path to scaling up an adequate response to the world’s largest hunger crisis, says Hanekom.

He says that even communities that are not directly affected by the conflict are fragile.

- They still bear the majority of the burden of hosting and responding to the immediate needs of those displaced by the conflict, says Hanekom.

Hunger

According to the UN, nearly 25 million people  -- half the population -- are severely food insecure.

- Some displaced people we met at new gathering sites had not eaten anything for days. Nearly 640,000 people are estimated to be on the brink of starvation , says Hanekom.

Apart from conflict, violence, displacement, and food insecurity, there are several other challenges in Sudan, according to the country director. These include severe shortages of medical services and pharmaceutical supplies, lack of access to cash and financial services, frequent and severe disease outbreaks, like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever, lack of access to telecommunications, and restricted movement of people of goods, often as a result of insecurity and conflict.

- In many gathering sites for people that have been displaced, in addition to the needs for food and basic goods, there is high need for access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, medical services, and specialized services for gender-based violence, says Hanekom.

Funding Crisis

Despite the enormous needs, the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan remains drastically underfunded, and impacts of recent global development and aid funding cuts by the world’s largest donor countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, have been severe,

- As many humanitarian actors in NCA’s operational areas have scaled back or stopped projects, and needs continue to increase, NCA is under pressure to scale up services in the areas where we work, but its ability to respond is constrained by limited funding, says Hanekom.

Providing emergency aid

Norwegian Church Aid has worked in Sudan for over 50 years. Despite the enormous challenges, and thanks to our close collaboration with local partner organizations, Norwegian Church Aid is present even now during the war, providing both emergency relief and long-term assistance to the population. 

- Support from our donors, including Norad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the contributions of millions of Norwegians to the initiatives like the Lenten campaign, provide the backbone of our response, and allows us and our partners to support communities affected by the conflict.

In 2024, we reached over 166 000 people with emergency aid such as water, cash that they can use to purchase essential items they need, and emergency services for survivors of gender-based violence.

We also reached 113 000 people with longer-term projects:

• We empower and mobilize communities to address their needs, including their need for clean water and sanitation.
• We work to counter gender-based violence, including by working to prevent child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
• We work to strengthen food security and economic development opportunities.

Fleeing to neighboring countries

Nearly four million people have fled to neighboring countries, including South Sudan. Norwegian Church Aid is also present in South Sudan. At the border areas, Norwegian Church Aid has, among other things, provided emergency aid to the refugees from Sudan.