2024 Severity of Needs, People in Need and Targeted
SUMMARY OF NEEDS
Forty-two per cent of Sudan’s population (20.3 million people) are now experiencing high levels of food insecurity of IPC Phase 3+ (crisis and above), driven by conflict and displacement across several states particularly in Khartoum, and the Darfur and the Kordofan regions. The conflict is also affecting the relatively stable eastern and northern states as communities are hosting high numbers of IDPs. The most severe impacts on household livelihoods and acute food insecurity continue to prevail in conflict hotspot urban areas experiencing heavy fighting, as well as in areas hosting high numbers of IDPs. In most rural areas, the impact of the conflict continues to be more indirect as insecurity along trade routes is reducing trade flows, input supplies and causing prices to rise above seasonal levels, thereby negatively affecting household access to staple foods and related commodities at a time when reliance on market purchases is typically high.
The situation is also compounded by climate shocks and hazards and economic down-turns/crises manifested due to subsidy withdrawals, devaluation, and inflation. The conflict has triggered a large-scale displacement of 5.1 million people across the country. While some improvement is expected with the arrival of the upcoming harvests by November 2023, the conflict, if continued unabated, the conflict is likely to exacerbate Sudan’s food insecurity in the immediate as well as mid-to long-terms.
RESPONSE STRATEGY
The FSL Cluster will target a total of 11.4 million people. Around 3.3 million people will be targeted for life-saving food assistance, while around 8.7 million people will receive life-saving agriculture and livelihoods support. The Cluster also considered the overlap between these two interventions to address the critical food security needs of extremely vulnerable population. In addition, FSL partners will also provide life-sustaining food, agriculture and livelihoods assistance around 865,000 to affected people which will also directly contribute under strategic objective three of this response plan.
Challenges such as conflict, erratic rainfall, and economic impacts have adversely affected this year’s harvests, deepening the food crisis. The Cluster plans to address this by targeting 8.7 million people with emergency agricultural support. The assistance, including food aid and livelihood support, will be delivered through in-kind, cash, or voucher modalities for flexibility. Additionally, FSL partners aim to support 865,000 affected people by providing agricultural inputs, tools, livestock care, and diverse livelihood restoration schemes, emphasizing skill development and income opportunities, especially for young people and women.
TARGETING & PRIORITIZATION
The FSL Cluster will focus on lifesaving and life-sustenance, targeting the most severe food insecure population groups through unconditional in-kind food and cash transfers as well as essential life-sustaining agricultural livelihood support. These groups consist of 5.4 million IDPs, 4.4 million people in host communities and 1.6 million non-displaced people. The target includes 15 per cent of people with disabilities and 56 per cent children and older persons. Geographical targeting is based on the latest IPC analysis, with particular focus placed on the localities classified in IPC Phase 3+. Household-level targeting will be done to identify the most vulnerable people through different assessments and analysis of food security and socio-economic status. The vulnerability and selection criteria used to target households in FSL interventions are determined through an integrated approach. The most vulnerable people, including the newly and protracted displaced population, refugees and host communities will be prioritized. Broad-range of agriculture and livelihood restoring and safeguarding support packages will be provided to the targeted most needy vulnerable people according to the seasonal calendar of interventions.
PROMOTING QUALITY & INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING
FSL partners will involve communities and local actors throughout program implementation, for example through the community feedback mechanisms (CFM).
In cooperation with the GBV sub-cluster, FSL conducts a series of training sessions for partners to prevent and mitigate GBV risks as well as to promote PSEA in FSL interventions. The main partner for food assistance, WFP, developed a checklist for safe food assistance distribution that was shared with partners. FSL will continue building capacity and develop referral pathways.
The FSL objectives are cantered on the needs, rights, and voices of women, with over 50 percent of people receiving assistance being women or girls. Emphasis will be put on including and empowering women in FSL interventions, through for instance engaging female staff and volunteers during distributions and women-friendly emergency livelihoodprojects.
COST OF RESPONSE
The FSL Cluster seeks USD$581.2 million to assist 11.4 million people in 2024.