Sudan

Significant expansion and stronger interventions needed to reach more people.

Displacement and economic contraction are key drivers.

Poverty rate increased from 67.4% (2022) to 79.8% (2023). Further rise expected to 86.2% (2024).

Majority of Sudanese population now living in poverty.

Floods in 2024 affected 4 million hectares (41% of cropland) and damaged houses and livelihoods.

Solution

Government implemented economic reforms in 2021–2022 to tackle poverty.

Social protection programmes existed, including cash transfers, medical support, National Health Insurance Fund, and National Pension and Social Insurance Fund.

After initial decline due to the conflict, social protection expenditure began to recover in 2024 (from 2.5% to 3.7% of revenue.

Conflict since 2023 disrupted poverty reduction efforts and aid programmes.

Negative economic growth, high inflation (47.8% → 188% from 2023–2024), and large-scale displacement worsened poverty.

Decline in government resources reduced social protection expenditure drastically in 2023 (from 9–7% to 2.5% of revenue).

Loss of assets, employment, and income due to conflict further aggravated poverty levels.

Humanitarian assistance helped alleviate extreme food shortages in certain areas.

Efforts to restore agricultural activities and stabilise food supply chains began to show early signs of improvement in late 2024.

Militia attacks on key agricultural zones, including the Gazira Scheme, the largest irrigated project, damaged irrigation infrastructure and storage facilities.

Restricted access to farmlands and limited livestock movement in Darfur and Kordofan disrupted agricultural livelihoods.

Agricultural production dropped drastically, with grain output in 2023/24 at 4.1 million tons, about 40% below the five-year average.

Inflation rose dramatically from 47.8% in March 2023 to 188% in December 2024, driving up the cost of food.

The average retail price of sorghum increased by 32.6% in December 2023 (compared to early 2023) and by 114% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Around 54% of the population faced acute food insecurity (June–September 2024), up from 24% in 2022.

Malnutrition rates reached 15% in 24 localities and up to 30% in areas under militia control in North Darfur in 2024.

Solution

Grain production increased to 6.6 million tons, above the annual requirement (5.5–6 million tons).

Formation of a committee to rehabilitate the agriculture sector.

Nutrition and health: Ministry of Health, with international partners, provided integrated malnutrition treatment, supplementation, early detection, and expanded health coverage.

Food security strategies: Sudan prepared action tracks for the UN Food Summit: access to nutritious food, sustainable consumption, nature-positive production, equitable livelihoods, resilience to shocks.

Most affected: IDPs, host communities, children, and populations in conflict-affected states (Khartoum, Gazira, Darfur, Kordofan, Blue Nile).

Agriculture limitations: Low crop yields due to weak research, low use of fertilizers and improved seeds.

Nutrition and health: GAM rate at 13.6% (under-five children), rising to 15–30% in conflict areas. 3.7 million children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women in need of acute malnutrition treatment.

Conflict impact: Ongoing conflict continues to disrupt agriculture, markets, and access to inputs.

Over 30% of hospitals destroyed; some repurposed as military bases.

More than 50% of kidney dialysis centres out of service.

Loss of about 70% of specialised services and equipment for cancer, cardiac, pediatric surgery, and diagnostics.

Destruction and looting of the Central Medical Supplies Corporation, private pharmaceutical factories, pharmacies, and cold chains (including vaccines and insulin).

Attacks on ambulances and health workers; seizure of the National Health Laboratory.

Loss of 30% of routine health information due to destroyed electronic servers.

Deterioration in health indicators, including maternal and child mortality.

Reduced vaccine coverage and health service availability and increased exposure to disease outbreaks (measles, polio, cholera, malaria, dengue) due to IDP surge and collapse of sanitation

Solution

Expanded immunisation coverage. Control measures for TB, HIV, malaria, cholera, and dengue.

National Health Recovery and Reform Policy adopted (aligned with SDG 3).

National Medical Supply Fund developed a 5-year strategy including emergency supply plans.

Limited equitable and sustainable healthcare access.

Achieving universal health coverage. Strengthening health system resilience to emergencies and shocks.

Hundreds of schools damaged; some repurposed as shelters for IDPs.

Prolonged school closures. About 17 million children (over 90% of school-age population) deprived of schooling.

Disruption of learning and risk of education system collapse. Negative impacts on education indicators, including increased dropout rates and reduced enrollment.

Solution

Temporary schools in IDP shelters opened. E-learning facilities introduced.

Limited access to teaching and learning materials in conflict-affected areas.

Unequal access for vulnerable children (IDPs, refugees, nomadic populations, children with disabilities).

Awareness and reporting of GBV have increased, potentially improving access to assistance for survivors.

Attacks on healthcare facilities and workers limit access to life-saving services, especially for pregnant women.

About 1.63 million women of reproductive age lack adequate healthcare.

Sharp increase in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a tactic of war; number of survivors seeking services rose by 288% since December 2023.

Female-headed households disproportionately affected by food insecurity (64% vs. 48% in male-headed households).

Solution

Rural women projects and community-targeted programmes implemented in 11 states affected by militia attacks.

Preparation of the second executive plan for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325 linking gender equality to peace and security.

Women constitute over half of IDPs, facing limited access to clean water and essential services.

Increased gender-based violence (GBV) and other harmful practices.

Reduced coverage of women by empowerment programmes due to conflict.

Communities may be implementing local coping strategies to manage water shortages.

·       Damage to 8 water stations in Khartoum (50% of state’s water production).

·       Golo reservoir in El Fasher and El Obeid water supply station attacked and damaged.

·       Rural water supply points also destroyed.

·       Increased pressure on existing facilities in safer areas due to IDP influx, causing shortages and contamination.

·       Depletion of water treatment materials.

·       Rising risk of waterborne diseases and decline in access to safe water and water quality.

Solution

Local communities and international partners helped restore damaged water supply in several areas.

Coordination with health and renewable energy sectors strengthened WASH integration.

Khartoum North plant and 8 major water stations stopped operating, affecting 22% of the population.

Solar systems looted; power shortages and fuel scarcity disrupted water operations and rural water facilities damaged; technical staff lost due to displacement.

Renewable energy initiatives, though heavily affected, may provide a foundation for future reconstruction efforts.

Severe damage to major power plants: Khartoum North Thermal, Geri 1–4, Umdabaker, El Fasher, Geneina, El Obeid, Merowe Dam, and Jebel Aulia stations.

Extensive destruction of transformers (6,689 fully damaged, 1,714 partially damaged) and 21,289 km of transmission lines.

Looting of equipment, control rooms, fuel, solar panels, and other critical assets and loss of about 50% of transformer substations and significant damage to renewable energy projects.

Massive reduction in population access to electricity and clean energy and halted progress toward electricity and renewable energy goals.

Solution

Short-term plan for 2025: Focus on stable, regular power supply and optimal generation (target: 11 million GWh).

Major new projects on hold due to conflict and financing issues.

Access and reliability issues: 60% of the population lacked access to electricity as of 2022.

Rehabilitation of damaged power stations and transmission lines, procurement of transformers and mobile generation units, upgrading hydropower and thermal generation facilities, expansion of renewable energy and solar mini-grids, improvement of electricity management, monitoring, and protection systems, etc.

Agriculture, livestock, and services sectors contributed to modest recovery.

Gold exports supported foreign exchange and government revenues.

Agriculture production declined due to scarcity of fuel, improved seeds, fertilizers, and disrupted supply chains.

Industrial growth fell by 26%; many factories destroyed or operating at reduced capacity.

Services sector contracted by 38% in 2023 and -11% in 2024 due to disrupted trade, banking, communications, and government services.

Urban displacement: 31% of households relocated from pre-conflict locations.

Job losses widespread; most firms laid off staff (20%) or placed them on unpaid leave (47%).

Unemployment projected to exceed 45% by end of 2024.

Women disproportionately affected; pre-conflict female unemployment over twice male rate.

Proportion of urban households with no income rose from 1.6% pre-conflict to 18%.

Solution

Agriculture, livestock, and services sectors contributed to modest recovery.

Gold exports supported foreign exchange and government revenues

Agriculture, industry, and services remain severely disrupted. Oil sector remains non-operational in many areas.

Widespread job losses and lack of access to income-generating opportunities.

Scarcity of critical inputs and services continues to hinder economic recovery.

Large-scale urban displacement disrupts labour markets and access to basic services.

Remaining factories closed due to security concerns; few operating at reduced capacity or relocated.

Loss of raw materials due to power disruptions, looting, or destruction.

Industrial sector growth negative; GDP share unchanged.

Solution

Planning reforms for modernisation, technology-intensive industries, and improved operational efficiency initiated.

Legal and regulatory frameworks being prepared (Organisation and Development of Industries law, improved PPP law).

Need to establish technology-intensive industries to improve productivity.

Strengthen quality control, standards, and manufacturing efficiency.

Promote small- and medium-scale enterprises and improve private sector regulatory environment.

Rebuilding investor confidence and resuming industrial operations remain critical challenges.

Commitments to inclusive growth, extending the national electricity grid to western Sudan, and ensuring equitable access to basic services.

Affirmative actions planned for conflict-affected areas in livelihoods, education, and civil service employment.

Sectoral plans (education, health, social programmes) promote spatial equality and women’s empowerment.

Severe destruction of infrastructure and halted production in conflict-affected states (Darfur, South Kordofan, West Kordofan, Blue Nile).

Mass displacement about one-third from South and North Darfur.

Humanitarian access severely restricted due to violence.

Economic and social norms continue to disadvantage women.

Conflict disproportionately affected women, higher food insecurity and exposure to gender-based violence.

Solution

Integration of equality measures into national and sectoral plans.

Early implementation steps toward extending services and improving women’s participation before the conflict.

Severe destruction of infrastructure and halted production in conflict-affected states (Darfur, South Kordofan, West Kordofan, Blue Nile).

Mass displacement about one-third from South and North Darfur.

Humanitarian access severely restricted due to violence.

Economic and social norms continue to disadvantage women.

Conflict disproportionately affected women, higher food insecurity and exposure to gender-based violence.

Awareness of cultural losses may attract international support for heritage protection and restoration.

Over 3 million people displaced from Khartoum (31% of total IDPs in Sudan).

High number of deaths and widespread destruction of homes, government buildings, banks, factories, businesses, markets, and services.

Other cities including Medani, El Fasher, El Obeid, and Nyala also damaged and severe destruction of cultural heritage: museums, libraries, art exhibitions, historical buildings looted or destroyed.

UNESCO reports unprecedented risk to Sudanese cultural heritage, including National Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Natural History Museum, Military Museum, Republican Palace Museum, and several regional museums.

Partial damage to historic university and government buildings; National Records Office and National Library affected.

Solution

Endangered museum collections secured, packed, evacuated to safe locations, inventoried, and digitised with support from UNESCO and the British Council.

Heritage Emergency Fund mobilised to protect Sudan’s World Heritage components.

National Council for Urban Development prepared a five-year plan (2022–2027) titled “Towards a Comprehensive and Sustainable Urban Plan.”

Developing a national strategy for IDP reintegration within the Urban Development Strategy (2025–2050).

Smuggling of priceless archaeological artifacts and manuscripts.

Partial destruction of University of Khartoum, Republican Palace, and National Records Office.

Continued military activities threatening World Heritage sites.

Limited resources and security to ensure full restoration and protection.

Need for comprehensive recovery funding and international cooperation for cultural reconstruction and preservation.

Some initiatives were undertaken pre-conflict to improve solid waste management and raise environmental awareness.

Weak enforcement of environmental laws, especially plastic use and waste management.

Conflict-related pollution: toxic materials from explosives, damaged buildings, and looted laboratories.

Accumulated solid and medical waste in urban centres, particularly Khartoum.

Collapse of waste collection systems (efficiency dropped from 79.5% to 65.9%).

Solution

Environmental monitoring and damage assessments being considered to address hazardous waste and pollution risks.

Efforts to restore waste collection systems and manage medical waste in functioning states.

No systematic removal of war debris mixed with toxic materials.

High medical and military waste volumes remain unaddressed.

Absence of a national environmental recovery plan to mitigate post-conflict pollution and restore safe living conditions.

Release of hazardous materials from explosives, posing risks to households and water networks.

Destruction of laboratories, hospitals, and pesticide stores causing potential chemical leaks.

Accumulation of garbage, military debris, destroyed vehicles, and building rubble.

Significant environmental health risks and long-term negative impacts on environmental indicators

Solution

Focus on climate adaptation policies and regulations to mitigate conflict impacts.

Promoting clean energy use to reduce carbon emissions.

Coordination with international partners underway for technical and financial support.

Limited capacity and resources for environmental restoration and monitoring.

Weak enforcement of climate and environmental regulations.

High dependence on firewood and unsustainable land use persisting.

Need for long-term climate resilience planning and stronger international cooperation for environmental recovery.

Projects launched to identify coastal wetlands for inclusion in the Ramsar list and develop protective regulations.

Awareness workshops and training sessions held on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its protocols.

Solution

Enhanced international cooperation under the CBD for marine and coastal resource protection.

Weak enforcement of marine protection regulations.

Limited technical and financial capacity for monitoring and biodiversity conservation.

Human activities and pollution continue to threaten marine life and coastal habitats.

Sustainable Natural Resources Management Project (SNRMP) implemented to link conservation with livelihoods.

REDD+ Readiness initiatives advanced to reduce emissions from deforestation.

Protected area coverage (4.6%) remains far below international targets. Deforestation driven by agriculture, fuelwood use, and infrastructure expansion, combined with weak enforcement, limited data, and low financial and technical capacity, continues to hinder biodiversity conservation in Sudan. Sustainable practices remain uneven across sectors, and poor documentation of funding further limits progress.

Solution

Ecosystem restoration and soil fertility improvement programmess ongoing.

Improving data systems for forest, mountain, and biodiversity monitoring.

Weak enforcement and limited data on invasive species, poaching, and pollution.

Low financial resources and technical capacity hinder biodiversity conservation.

Uneven implementation of sustainable practices across sectors.

Insufficient documentation of public and donor funding for biodiversity protection.

Solution

ODA increased to 4.9% of GDP in 2021 before suspension.

Reforms initiated to unify exchange rates, boosting remittances through official channels. Sudan reached the HIPC decision point in June 2021.

Suspension of donor funding post-2021 coup.

Heavy reliance on humanitarian aid and informal remittance channels.

Solution

Efforts to restore economic growth and resume HIPC debt relief process.

Stalled HIPC debt relief process.

Weak fiscal capacity, limited private sector recovery, and dependence on volatile aid inflows.