2024 Severity of Needs, People in Need and Targeted
SUMMARY OF NEEDS
An estimated 4.85 million people are internally displaced in Sudan since the conflict broke out in mid-April 2023. Together with the 3.8 million IDPs created during previous internal conflict, Sudan now has the largest internal displacement crisis in the world. The majority of IDPs live in host communities, while 25.7 per cent are in sites including schools, public buildings and informal settlements.
The lack of assistance in host communities forces many IDPs to seek refuges in sites, resulting in constant increase of IDPs in sites and the creation of new sites. As of October, mapping exercises reported 991 sites across six states, with a total of 32,388 households (183,000 people). Site visits and mapping exercises revealed that the majority of gathering sites are below minimum standard. Urgent needs identified include access to food, health services, NFIs and WASH facilities. As the conflict continues, new IDPs arriving in sites have no access to assistance, while the response capacity remains limited.
RESPONSE STRATEGY
Out of 3.2 million people in need, the sector will prioritize meeting the critical needs of 1.6 million people. The cluster adopts a collective approach, utilizing tools such as site mapping and assessments to gather and provide targeted information to deliver services efficiently and ultimately improve the living conditions of IDPs in collective sites. The cluster emphasizes enhancing the capabilities of key stakeholders including local authorities, partners, and community representatives. It will support initiatives that engage communities in addressing their needs and seeking long-term solutions. Close collaboration with all clusters is a priority to ensure that services in sites adhere to minimum standards.
TARGETING & PRIORITIZATION
The prioritization and targeting process is based on sectoral severity analysis, focusing on areas with high vulnerability and specifically those classified as severity 4 and 5. As the ongoing hostilities hinder the return of IDPs to their homes and humanitarian access remains challenging, targeted interventions will be provided in localities categorized as severity 3 that host a substantial number of IDPs to ensure safe and dignified living conditions.
PROMOTING QUALITY & INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING
The cluster emphasizes a collective approach within sites and aims to improve access to essential services through joint coordination mechanisms. Assessment and monitoring tools, regular on-site visits, and interaction with the communities will ensure that voices of IDPs are heard, using an age and diversity approach to promote full inclusion in consultations and planning processes.
Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) is a priority, involving staff training and community awareness campaigns. Regular community-based awareness campaigns will be conducted to ensure that all IDPs living in sites are well-informed and actively contribute to preventing exploitation and abuse. Other priorities include stakeholder empowerment and addressing the diverse needs of individuals, including those with disabilities.
Based on ongoing site monitoring, women and girls represent 56 per cent of the IDPs living in collective sites and are particularly vulnerable due to safety concerns and limited access to services. Affected people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, older people, female- or child-headed families are disproportionately affected by displacement. The cluster will ensure that at least five per cent of people with disabilities will benefit from the interventions.
COST OF RESPONSE
Priority efforts in 2024 will involve setting up coordination structures, building the capacity of various stakeholders, and improving the living conditions of IDPs in collective sites, with the financial requirement of $14.8 million.
References
- IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix as of 2 November 2023.
- Of over 6.1 million displaced, 4.85 million were internally displaced – majority of whom were originally from Khartoum areas - and 1.3 million crossing the border to neighbouring countries (Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Ethiopia). Sixty-five per cent of arrivals tracked in those countries were Sudanese nationals and 35 per cent were foreign nationals and returnees.