The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by mass displacement and the widespread destruction of critical infrastructure [0]. The scale of the emergency is immense, with 33.7 million people currently in need of humanitarian assistance [0][10][11]. Displacement figures vary by region and source; while HDX reports 65,644 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 25 refugees, other data indicates that over 605,000 people have sought safety specifically within the Sheikan locality and El Obeid [0]. Additionally, Sudan has recorded 23,494 new arrivals in 2026, primarily originating from South Sudan, Eritrea, and Ethiopia [0][9].
Humanitarian needs are acute, particularly regarding water, health, and protection. The response is currently 70.8% funded, with $7,454,794,083 provided against a requirement of $10,535,303,637 [0][HDX]. While initiatives such as the BRIDGES program and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) are providing critical support, the response is hampered by severe access constraints, including the targeting of healthcare facilities by drone strikes and allegations of the misuse of UN assets for military operations [0][13][14].
Water security has reached critical levels, particularly in El Obeid, where drone strikes on water infrastructure in June and July caused widespread panic and service disruptions [0][4]. Consequently, water consumption in El Obeid has dropped to approximately 7 liters per person per day, which is less than half of the 15-liter minimum standard recommended by the World Health Organization [0][4]. In response, Solidarités International has provided 7,695 m3 of clean water via trucking to four camps in Ed Daein, including Lagawa and Sabreen, since May 2026 [0][11].
The healthcare system is under extreme pressure due to targeted violence and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas [0][15]. Drone strikes on healthcare facilities surged from three incidents in 2024 to 24 in 2025 [0][14]. This instability has forced the suspension of medical services, exemplified by the looting and damage of Jabra al-Sheikh Hospital in North Kordofan, which was reportedly used as shelter by RSF fighters [0][15]. Despite these challenges, specialized interventions continue, such as Qatar Charity's cochlear implant program in Khartoum and cardiac surgeries for children at the Madani Heart Center [0][2].
Nutrition services show significant regional disparities in coverage. In the River Nile region, 75% of localities are covered by Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) services provided by partners including Alight, CARE, and SCI [0][3]. In contrast, only 14% of localities in Sennar are covered, with PAN CARE acting as the sole OTP provider [0][3]. In the Red Sea region, 40% of localities are covered, with 100% of the partners being International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) [5].
Educational infrastructure has been devastated, particularly in Darfur, where 73% of schools are damaged or non-functional [0][16]. The crisis is compounded by strikes on energy infrastructure; for example, a strike in White Nile State disabled a water treatment facility, forcing the closure of schools due to a lack of water and power [0][16]. To mitigate this, the BRIDGES initiative is working to return 328,000 conflict-affected children to learning [0][16].
Vulnerable populations face severe protection risks. In Central Darfur, female-headed households and those with disabilities exhibit lower Informal Social Protection (ISP) scores, with 81% of women in Zalingi reporting no support network outside of family and friends [0][21]. For Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad, 69% of registered individuals have specific needs, including 33,397 women and 16,452 elderly persons at risk [0][7][8]. In North Macedonia, Sudanese migrants have identified food, shelter, and medical assistance as their primary requirements [0][1].
A critical emerging trend is the escalation of remotely piloted aerial systems (drones) targeting essential services, which has significantly increased the number of healthcare-related incidents [0][14]. There is also a concerning trend of "water-related extremes," where Sudan simultaneously faces drier-than-normal conditions causing crop stress and a high risk of flooding driven by rainfall in the Lake Victoria basin and Ethiopian Highlands [0][18].
Data indicates a high reliance on fragile social networks; 69.4% of respondents in certain areas rely on a single source of support, typically family or friends within Sudan [21]. Furthermore, financial instability is forcing refugee households—such as those in Kampala—to make impossible trade-offs between food, healthcare, and rent, often leading to the reduction of food consumption or the separation of households to alleviate pressure [0][20].
There are significant gaps in the delivery of nutrition services, particularly in the Sennar region where coverage is only 14% [0][3]. Additionally, there is a critical need to address the spread of cholera in Al Fula and measles in Ed Daein [0][11]. Information gaps persist regarding the exact percentage of Sudanese migrants who are facilitated during their journeys [17].
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