Africa I MENA – Sudan Crisis: Cross-Regional Population Movement, Operation update #2 (MDRS1001) – Chad

A. SITUATION ANALYSIS

Description of the crisis

Following the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan on 15th April 2023, hundreds of thousands of people have been fleeing the devastating conflict in Sudan, seeking safety in neighbouring countries. While the situation in most of these countries varies, most of the refugees find themselves in unsafe conditions, without proper protection, shelter, food, water, or sanitation. There are also reports of thousands being stranded at border crossings.

As of 19th September 2023, 1,180,626 displaced people from Sudan are recorded in the 6 neighbouring countries, which include 323,230 in Egypt, 479,953 in Chad, 273,395 in South Sudan (mostly returnees), 81,393 in Ethiopia. Arrivals remain relatively low in CAR and Libya, at 18,545 and 4,110 respectively. Most affected by this crisis are, women (especially pregnant women) and children, as well as older people. Among the refugees are many separated and unaccompanied children, as well as people with disabilities and mental health problems. Overall, refugees have had good relations with host populations and have reported that they were well-received, being provided with first-level support including lodging for some families, food, some utensils and containers, and cloth or used mats for makeshift shelters. But with rising prices for basic foodstuffs, limitations on trade, and interruptions to the supply chain from Sudan, plus the arrival of the rains, there is a high probability that in the medium-term, social cohesion could deteriorate.

This emergency has been compounded by other events such as conflict in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia, floods and disease outbreaks in South Sudan and heatwaves and dust storms in Egypt. Libya and Central African Republic (CAR), have experienced, floods internal conflict that have made safe access and provision of humanitarian services a challenge.

Funding for this appeal has also been extremely low at 9.5%, CHF 4,008,004 of the CHF 42 million required.

As of 30th June 2023, from the initial assessments conducted by RC National Societies, the priority needs identified were:

• Health: case of severe acute malnutrition (children), chronic diseases and mental health needs observed within displaced populations

• WASH: lack of access to water, latrines, and hygiene items in hosting sites

• Protection: cases of Gender-Based Violence including conflict-related sexual violence, family separation

The situation and needs of the displaced population are represented in the snapshot below