Sudan high-level pledging conference reflects on a dire situation and urgent need to act.

The Sudan Pledging Conference took place earlier this week at the United Nations in Geneva (Switzerland), and the results are not what was hoped for. The governments of Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the African Union, and European Union convened this high-level pledging conference, aimed at supporting the humanitarian response in Sudan and the region.

To inform these discussions, REACH published beforehand an advocacy brief – Sudan crisis at two months: Spiralling needs amidst limited access and information – showing that 1.9M people have been forcibly displaced (with 470k cross–border displacements), 24.7M people are in need of assistance (OCHA) and only 16% of HRP was funded at the moment of the conference.

Despite these numbers, which have been mentioned numerous times during the interventions, the states collectively committed nearly 1.5 billion dollars, which is only half of what the UN estimates is required to address humanitarian needs in the country and its neighbours. Since the update of the Humanitarian Response Plan in the first month of the conflict, needs have likely escalated further. Whilst data is limited on the ground, REACH’s analysis indicates that basic services and infrastructure are widely unavailable, hunger is worsening, and the upcoming lean season points to a further deterioration in food security.

Inside Sudan, the opening statement of the conference described an extremely dire situation, including looting, killing, and sexual violence. Also, as Filippo Grandi (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) stated “The security vacuum created by this violence provides fertile breeding ground for those who traffic in humans and weapons.”

On top of the tragedy unfolding in Sudan, the conflict is spilling over Sudan’s borders, with dramatic consequences across the region and beyond, as neighbouring countries expressed in their interventions. It is important to note that as of now, all of them have kept their borders open, despite the crisis having far-reaching impacts on them – which also happen to be some of the most fragile contexts in the world (four countries already had underfunded Humanitarian Response Plans of their own). As these governments need to face refugees’ relocation and needs, price increases, and social tensions, they reminded the international community of its responsibility.

In addition to their pledges, states called for an end to the fighting and the need to start political negotiations, respect for international law – especially the protection of civilians and aid workers, expediated delivery of work visas for humanitarian organisations, and appealed to neighbouring countries to keep their borders open.  

As Sudan enters its third month of conflict, the situation is already at a tipping point, with an increased concentration in Darfur which has itself marked 20 years of conflict this year, due to deeply entrenched social inequalities, an environmental crisis and competition over natural resources. The rainy season, which is approaching, could as well further exacerbate the suffering of the population and limit logistical reach and access.  Ayah Alzayat, IMPACT Country Coordinator in Sudan, confirms the urgency to act:

“The situation in Sudan has reached a desperate state as conflict and rampant insecurity continue their devastating toll on the nation. We witness with deep concern the widespread displacement of people in neighbouring countries already strained beyond capacity, as well as the unfolding public health crisis particularly impacting vulnerable populations. From the onset of Sudan’s lean season to the concurrent rainy season in Sudan and neighbouring countries, the decimation of vital healthcare facilities, and the dire scarcity of food and water, our assessments unveil an alarming depletion of coping mechanisms” 

For up-to-date analysis of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, including upcoming findings from our rapid needs assessments, follow our Sudan Crisis Thread.