Sudan Emergency: Situation Overview

The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has entered its second month, resulting in the displacement of over 1 million people, with 843,100 internally displaced within Sudan. The highest numbers of displaced individuals are in White Nile, West Darfur, River Nile, and Northern State. Renewed fighting in Central and South Darfur has further strained access to essential services like healthcare, water, and food, particularly in West Darfur.

The 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) has been revised to reflect the growing needs, with the number of people requiring humanitarian assistance increasing by 57%, bringing the total to 24.7 million. Among these, 11 million people urgently need health assistance, including 2.64 million women and girls of reproductive age. Over 90,000 pregnant women are expected to give birth in the next three months, but they face significant challenges in accessing critical reproductive health services.

The number of people in need of gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services has surged by more than 1 million, reaching 4.2 million. As women and girls are displaced, they are at greater risk of GBV, including sexual exploitation and abuse. Service providers report an alarming increase in GBV cases, particularly among internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as rising cases of domestic violence. Restricted movement, coupled with escalating prices for basic goods, is exacerbating these risks.

Despite ongoing fighting, UNFPA remains focused on delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, as well as scaling up GBV prevention and response initiatives. UNFPA is actively planning to utilize the temporary ceasefire to accelerate the distribution of essential supplies, including those stored in warehouses in Khartoum and Bahri, to health facilities across the country.