Desert landscape in Sudan. Photo by Andromachos Dimitrokallis / Pixabay.

Republic of Sudan

Why are we in the Republic of Sudan? Faced with decades of humanitarian challenges, Sudan reached a heightened level of political and social instability in 2019, when the 30-year regime of President Omar al-Bashir ended. In 2023, the alliance between co-governing military factions collapsed into violence following a power struggle. One year later, the ongoing violence has fuelled a humanitarian crisis of tragic proportions. In 2024, 24.8 million people in Sudan — nearly half the population — will require humanitarian assistance.

Sudan is quickly becoming the world’s biggest humanitarian — and hunger — crisis

After a summer of mass protests in 2019, President al-Bashir was ousted from office and replaced by a transitional government tasked with leading the country towards democratic rule. However, the transition suffered a setback with a 2021 coup led by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Their alliance collapsed on 15 April 2023 over a power struggle, setting off violence in the capital city of Khartoum. One year later, that violence has spread across the country, reaching states where Concern works including West Kordofan, South Kordofan, and West Darfur.

According to UN agencies, 6.5 million people have been internally displaced with 1.7 million people seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. The violence has led to increased inflation rates, incidences of gender-based violence, destruction of healthcare facilities, and damage to water infrastructure, creating such urgent needs as clean water, shelter, and core essentials. Food and nutrition support are also chief concerns, with over 40% of Sudanese civilians facing food shortages. As the lean season approaches, the outlook for food security between February and September 2024 paints a catastrophic picture with needs expected to escalate sharply.

» Learn more about the crisis in Sudan

Gisma, mother to 2 year old Yageen who was successfully treated for severe malnutrition by our team in Sudan.

I was really distressed before we were referred to Concern’s nutrition programme by their volunteers. I thought I might lose my only daughter. I am now very grateful to Concern for bringing my daughter to life.

Gisma Kafitutu - Concern programme participant

Latest achievements

Emergency response

Despite the logistical and security challenges, Concern Sudan staff were able to reach over 346,000 people in just eight months with lifesaving health, nutrition, cash, and emergency supplies following the events of April 2023. Assistance is continuing to be delivered to West Darfur, West Kordofan and South Kordofan, as well as Red Sea State.

Healthcare

Nutrition

Concern staff member assisting Sudanese refugees at Chad border

Concern is distributing NFI, water and hygiene kits to refugees who have arrived from Addémour. Photo: Audrey Hernandez/Concern Worldwide

Ameen*, a young boy, at the Chad border after fleeing Sudan

Ameen* is one of the refugees at Adré, in the east of Chad. Photo: Majd Holbi/Concern Worldwide

Concern logistics advisor Paula Donohoe checking part of the aid consignment, funded by Irish Aid, after it arrived in Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Christmas Day.

Concern staff standing with medical supplies

Ahmed (far right) helps deliver essential Unicef medical supplies from N'Djmena, Chad to 10 medical centres supported by Concern in conflict affected villages in West Darfur. Photo: Concern Worldwide

Irish humanitarian aid has reached war-weary civilians in Sudan where a major conflict has been raging for half a year displacing over 5.7 million people.

Rehabilitation of a hand pump in Seleia Town, Republic of Sudan. Photo: Concern Worldwide.

Sudanese refugee sits in makeshift tent in Chad

Amina* is one of the Sudanese refugees at Adré, in the east of Chad. Photo: Majd Holbi

Crowd of Sudanese refugees sitting on the ground

Sudanese refugees in Kiir Adem. Photo: Joshua Baru/Concern Worldwide

How we're helping the Republic of Sudan

We are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in the Republic of Sudan. We are doing this by establishing programmes which will strengthen household capacity, provide health and nutrition support, and humanitarian assistance in emergencies.