Last updated 20/10/2017

Sudan

FACTS & FIGURES4.8 million people in need ofassistance, including 3 million in Darfur

3.3 million people internally displaced

More than 965 000 refugees,including over 460 000 SouthSudanese since December 2013

3.4 million people severely foodinsecure (crisis or emergency levels)

2.2 million acutely malnourishedchildren (UNOCHA & UNHCR)

EU Humanitarian funding:€46 million in 2017

IntroductionThe European Union responds to a variety of emergencies in Sudan ranging from conflict and population displacements tosevere food insecurity and malnutrition. The immense needs call for large-scale humanitarian assistance. Although travelprocedures have been relaxed, humanitarians continue to work in a restrictive environment which prevents them fromreaching all people in need in a timely manner. Since 2011, the EU has mobilised €422 million for its humanitarianpartners in Sudan, including €46 million in 2017.

What are the needs?Sudan is facing various protracted and new humanitarian crises. Thirteen years since the start of the Darfur crisis,2.7 million people continue to be uprooted in this region alone while conflict also affects South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

More than 180 000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in 2017 alone. Of this number 65% are children. Many of thedisplaced, host communities and refugees rely heavily on aid to access essential services such as health care and water,and to improve their living conditions.

Acute malnutrition rates are among the highest in Africa. One in six children suffers from acute malnutrition, 1 in 20 fromits most severe form which is likely to cause death unless treated. In 2017, 3.4 million people are facing severe foodinsecurity. In recent months, considerable new humanitarian needs have emerged, linked to amongst others a mass influxof South Sudanese refugees and high malnutrition in newly accessible areas of Jebel Marra, Darfur.

More funding is required to deal with these multiple and complex crises. The 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan appealsfor $804 million; however, less than 38% of this amount has been reached.

© EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie

How are we helping?Since 2011, the EU has mobilised €422 million for life-saving assistance to people affected by conflict, natural disasters,food insecurity and malnutrition, including €46 million so far in 2017. The EU acts on all fronts, assisting thousands offorcibly displaced people and refugees while also supporting the crucial fight against malnutrition and addressing theimpact of natural disaster such as floods and droughts.

In close collaboration with its humanitarian partners, the EU supports a principled and needs-based approach in Sudanaimed at reaching the most affected and vulnerable populations in a complex and restrictive environment. Support isprovided in the fields of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, shelter, protection, emergency education, food securityand livelihoods.

Much of the EU humanitarian aid goes to addressing the needs of conflict-affected people, with a focus on newemergencies. Two such emergencies are the high levels of malnutrition that were found in areas of Jebel Marra which haveonly recently become accessible to humanitarians and the mass refugee influx from South Sudan. With hundreds of newarrivals each day, EU humanitarian funds help to organise the reception of the new refugees, ensure that they receiveshelter and basic household items, and are able to access basic services such as health care, water and sanitationfacilities.

Food assistance and nutrition account for the bulk of the EU humanitarian aid funding in Sudan. In 2016, more than223 000 children who suffered from severe acute malnutrition were treated and the target for 2017 is to treat 250 000children. Malnutrition levels are above emergency thresholds in 11 out of 18 Sudanese states. The EU is contributing to thecountrywide scale up of malnutrition treatment.

The European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department has offices in the capitalKhartoum and in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. EU humanitarian staff assess the needs while at the same timeidentify gaps in the response and monitoring the implementation of projects.

European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations - B-1049 Brussels, Belgium - E-mail: echo-info@ec.europa.eu

Website: http://ec.europa.eu/echo - Facebook: @ec.humanitarian.aid - Twitter: @eu_echo - Instagram: @eu_echo