Crisis Situation Update: Sudan

An armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023, has led Sudan to the brink of renewed civil war.  Fighting broke out in western Sudan, in the capital city of Khartoum and in the Darfur region. As of 25 April, at least 559 people have been killed and more than 4,000 others had been injured. The conflict began with attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on key government sites, and airstrikes, artillery, and gunfire were reported across Sudan including in Khartoum.

 

The humanitarian crisis following the fighting was further complicated by ongoing drought and food shortages, and access to essential supplies has been difficult.  Many residents were unable to obtain food and supplies for fear of getting caught in the crossfire. The United Nations reported that shortages of basic goods, such as food, water, medical supplies and fuel have become "extremely acute."  World Health Organization recorded around 26 attacks on healthcare facilities, some resulting in casualties among medical workers and civilians. 

As of May 2, 2023, the fighting in Sudan had produced around 334,000 internally displaced persons while more than 100,000 had fled the country altogether. It projected that the total number of refugees fleeing Sudan could reach more than 800,000 people.

The outbreak of violence has led foreign governments to begin the evacuation and repatriation of its nationals.  Multinational relief efforts have been interrupted and foreign nationals have been evacuated, including USAID and UN staff in Khartoum.  NGO’s have organized convoys to drive to evacuation sites in Port Sudan. which lies about 650 km (400 miles) northeast of Khartoum to major transit hubs including Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti which hosts military bases of the United States, China, Japan, France, and other European countries.

This complicates relief efforts in an already stressed region.  In South Sudan, ongoing humanitarian concerns include food insecurity, displacement, and violence. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 7.2 million people in South Sudan require humanitarian assistance. The country has been facing a humanitarian crisis for years, with widespread violence and displacement. The international community continues to provide humanitarian aid to South Sudan, but the need remains significant, with ongoing conflict and political instability hampering efforts to address the crisis.

 

What HHI is doing

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative has a long history of working in Sudan and South Sudan for several years, with active participation alongside major relief agencies in the region. No HHI personnel remain in Sudan at present.

Capacity support

  • KoboToolbox is supporting by helping those who are doing need assessment with standardized administrative units.

  • Building a Better Response (BBR) offers free online training which be accessed through any digital device, ensuring that those on the front lines have the resources they need to deliver a more effective and efficient response.

What you can do

Thank you to all of the many expressions of concern and requests to help. The most effective way to assist is to identify a reputable aid agency that has direct efforts in the region and provide financial support. In alignment with Harvard and MassGeneral Brigham, here is a compiled a preliminary list of organizations that can receive donations to provide emergency response services:

Country-specific resources:

Sudanese American Physicians Association (USA)

Sudanese American Public Affairs Association (USA)

Embassy of Sudan in Washington, DC (USA)

Other Resources

Support for Affected Students and Scholars on Campus

  • Harvard International Office: The HIO works in support of all international students and scholars at Harvard College, the graduate and professional schools, as well as those at the numerous research centers and affiliated teaching hospitals. They are best positioned to assist with questions pertaining to immigration requirements, visas, and related issues.
  • Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS): CAMHS is a counseling and mental health support service which seeks to work collaboratively with students, Schools, and the University to support individuals who are experiencing some measure of distress in their lives. Those who require emergency medical attention should dial 911; if you need to talk with a counselor right now about a mental health concern, call the CAHMS Cares 24/7 line at (617) 495-2042.
  • Harvard Chaplains: The Harvard Chaplains, a professional community of more than thirty chaplains, represent many of the world’s religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions, and share a collective commitment to serving the spiritual needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Harvard University.

Stay Updated

Stay updated on the latest developments and impact of the crisis by checking the following organizations:

Share on: