Supporting the Humanitarian Response to the Crisis in Sudan

In response to the ongoing deterioration of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the H2H Network has reactivated its fund to enable H2H Members to support humanitarian actors in assisting the affected populations. Eight H2H Members will provide free services, resources and expertise to local and international actors, to enable them to deliver aid effectively, despite severe operational constraints such as insecurity, insufficient funding and access restrictions.

The H2H Network’s package of humanitarian support services is very well designed to respond to the current situation in Sudan, particularly in areas controlled by armed groups. The variety of projects, such as building the capacity of local actors and enhancing accountability and information sharing, is critical for responding to the humanitarian suffering in Sudan. Most responders lack specialists in these areas." - Khadiga Agab, Expert on Accountability to Affected Population, Sudan

As the civil war in Sudan entered its second year, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to escalate. The war, which began in April 2023, has expanded across the country, involving multiple non-state armed groups and escalating a complex humanitarian crisis. With over 6.6 million internally displaced people and 1.8 million more fleeing to neighboring countries, it has become one of the largest displacement crises globally. Nearly 18 million people face severe food insecurity, with close to 5 million on the brink of famine. Cholera outbreaks are rampant, and the health system is nearly destroyed. Civilians face extreme violence, with over 5,500 violent events towards civilians and 15,000 fatalities reported since the war started. Overall, 25 million people, over half of them children, require humanitarian assistance.

International humanitarian organizations face significant challenges accessing the affected areas, making the role of local civil society particularly critical in this response. However, these local actors need more financial, operational and technical support.

The H2H Network’s products and services will continue to strengthen the response. In 2023, the H2H Fund resourced its members to provide a valuable combination of needs analysis, community engagement, and communication activities to strengthen the humanitarian response at the onset of the crisis. The main achievement from this early intervention lied in the ability of H2H Members to conduct primary data collection activities inside Sudan, perform rigorous and timely social media monitoring, and provide reporting that centered the voices of affected populations as they sought to mitigate the risks posed by the conflict.

People are looking for critical life-saving information and communication. We see many examples of this and how delayed or poor-quality information can affect people." - Asia Kambal, Internews Project Coordinator, Sudan

Given the continued deterioration of the humanitarian crisis, the H2H Network is reactivating its fund to continue supporting the humanitarian response in Sudan. By resourcing seven H2H Members to provide specialized support services and resources, it will enhance the humanitarian response through Information Management and Analysis, Capacity-Building for Local Actors, and Community Engagement and Accountability.

• Data Friendly Space will strengthen humanitarian planning and decision-making in Sudan by providing real-time information, key analysis and building the analysis capacity of local actors.
• CDAC Network will enhance participation and improve information flow between local Sudanese and diaspora groups, as well as the humanitarian coordination structures.
• Ground Truth Solutions will serve the information needs of both the Sudanese community and the humanitarian response, empowering those affected by ensuring humanitarian actors understand people’s perceptions and needs.
• IMPACT Initiatives will inform emergency prioritization in Sudan through an integrated needs monitoring system and rapid assessments.
• RedR UK and Humanitarian Academy for Development will address comprehensive capacity development needs—both institutional and individual—of local actors in Sudan's crisis response.
• Internews will provide humanitarian stakeholders with data-driven, real-time community feedback and improve the sustainability of Accountability to Affected Population (AAP).
• Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team will improve spatial data on neighborhood boundaries and roads in Khartoum and other conflict-impacted areas by establishing a responsible process to work with local communities.

We are confident that the contributions of the seven H2H Members will significantly enhance the effectiveness and coordination of the humanitarian response in Sudan. We look forward to working together with all humanitarian actors to support the response in Sudan and meet the urgent needs of the Sudanese people.

This H2H Fund allocation is supported by UK aid – from the British people. The H2H Network is also supported by USAID, Sida, and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).