How Concern is supporting Sudan and neighbouring countries as conflict marks three years

Today, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest in the world and over 33 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. That’s three in every five people living in Sudan. The situation remains dire, fuelled by an ongoing conflict which shows little hope of resolution.  

“The Sudan crisis has slipped out of the headlines despite the staggering needs both inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries,” said Reka Sztopa, Regional Director for Chad.  

Over 900,000 refugees from Sudan have come to Chad since April 2023, while nearly 390,000 people have returned home to Chad from Sudan: all adding significant pressure on already under-resourced and limited services.  

When families flee violence, they may not have the time, or the vehicle, to take their belongings. They arrive to barren camps, often on foot, with only the clothes they are wearing, and without the means to meet their basic needs. Their survival hangs in the balance.  

Concern is supporting over 144,000 people in Sudan, while in neighbouring Chad and South Sudan, we are supporting approximately 255,000 Sudanese refugees.  

In Sira, a village with a population of approximately 800 people, Khatir lives with her family. Khatir is originally from Sudan but moved to Sira with her Chadian husband, who she has since divorced from. She is solely responsible for their three young children. The village supported her with a plot of land, and some food during harvest time which along with day labouring in other people’s fields, enabled her to feed her children. As a vulnerable household, she was registered with Concern and received cash assistance along with other supports. 

“The cash assistance has allowed me to supplement our food, care for my children, and meet several essential needs. Being part of the savings and credit group allows me to save and borrow, when necessary,” said Khatir.  

“When I receive the next loan, I plan to start a small business to support my farming activities, which are currently facing many difficulties because my field is located on slightly higher ground; when there is less rain, the harvests are often poor.”  

Concern has provided basic shelter and essential household items, health care, clean drinking water and education to over 140,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad.   

Beyond emergency assistance, Concern is also helping communities build resilience. In Sila Province, 2,400 households in border villages have received support to stabilise their livelihoods following the economic disruption caused by the crisis 

The programme also promotes social cohesion, supporting women’s participation in savings groups and facilitating community dialogue and local conflict-resolution mechanisms in areas hosting diverse and vulnerable populations. 

As UN Security Council penholder, the UK has a unique platform to shape international action and push for stronger leadership on protection and humanitarian access. Together with other NGOs, Concern and our supporters are petitioning for action from the UK Government. 

Concern is prioritising hard-to-reach locations and the most at-risk communities. We have delivered 56 metric tonnes of pharmaceuticals and equipment to health facilities this year, operated four mobile health teams in West Darfur, South and West Kordofan, and mobilised three emergency response teams in West and Central Darfur.