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CISP, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and working in collaboration with local partners, is actively engaged in Sudan, providing direct assistance to over 10,000 of the most vulnerable people. Our coordinated interventions focus on nutrition, health, agriculture, and livelihoods, alongside a "Cash for Dignity" programme that has already reached 900 families with malnourished children through direct cash distributions.
These projects aim to support the treatment and prevention of malnutrition, bolster local health services, restore vital water and agricultural infrastructure, and re-establish income sources for families affected by the conflict. Direct financial aid is a crucial tool for preserving people's dignity, enabling families to make their own choices, even in times of crisis.
Every day, CISP teams and their Sudanese partners are on the front lines in the Red Sea and Gadaref states, not only responding to emergencies but also nurturing the hope and resilience that Sudanese communities embody so powerfully.
Over the past six months, CISP has supported over 2,700 individuals, almost 90% of whom are women, in the Red Sea (Sawakin) and Gedaref (Basounda and Al Fashaga) states, southeast of Khartoum. These two regions are vital to the Sudanese economy:
Our greatest challenge remains reaching the most vulnerable people. Persistent insecurity, disease outbreaks (with over 5,200 cases and 162 deaths recorded by mid-October 2024), massive displacement, and the lack of infrastructure make every step, from identifying needs to delivering aid extremely complex.
Every aid distribution is the result of a collective effort. Dozens of local staff, community leaders, health workers, and volunteers are continuously mobilised, working alongside our Sudanese partners, Betay Development Organization (BDO) and Mazaya Charity Organization (MCO). They organise distributions equitably and transparently, verify beneficiary lists and ensuring those most in need are prioritised. Beneficiaries include malnourished children, pregnant or lactating women, homeless families, people with disabilities, and individuals in extremely vulnerable situations. Beneficiary lists are developed through community assessments coordinated with local authorities, health workers, and community representatives. They are then validated by village committees and the Ministry of Health, and regularly updated to reflect new arrivals and shifting needs.
Our distribution methods adapted to the local context and the prevailing security situation: in some cases, we set up central distribution points in schools, municipal buildings, or health centres, where families are received according to pre-scheduled, staggered time slots. In other situations, particularly where security is fragile or vulnerability is high, our teams prioritise door-to-door distribution, especially for single women, children with special needs, pregnant or lactating women, and the elderly.
In all our actions, the dignity and protection of beneficiaries remain paramount. We provide clear, advance communication, ensure confidentiality, and design every distribution to be fair, safe, and responsive to the real needs of families.
Sudan is currently facing one of the most severe and complex humanitarian crises in the world. According to recent UN estimates, over 10 million people are internally displaced, making this the largest internal displacement emergency in history. Furthermore, more than 1.7 million Sudanese have fled and sought refuge in neighbouring countries since the conflict escalated in April 2023.
Malnutrition has reached alarming levels: over 4 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, with at least 730,000 severely malnourished children at risk of death unless emergency treatment is provided.
The country's health system is on the verge of collapse: nearly 80% of hospitals are out of service or unable to operate at full capacity due to infrastructure damage, staff shortages, lack of medicines, and persistent insecurity.
Strategic infrastructure, including airports, has been bombed, and humanitarian aid is regularly blocked or looted, particularly in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces. These conditions significantly complicate the work of humanitarian organisations attempting to provide vital aid amidst escalating needs.
The current crisis in Sudan erupted in April 2023, with the brutal clash between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – two powerful factions once allied, now rivals for control of the country. This conflict, initially centred in Khartoum, quickly spread across the entire countryaffecting major cities and rural areas alike. The consequences have been devastating: millions of people have been forced into exile, hunger and malnutrition have become entrenched, and most health and education infrastructures have been destroyed or severely damaged. Attacks on hospitals, schools, and humanitarian convoys, along with extremely limited access to basic necessities, now define the daily lives of millions of families across Sudan.
Yet, amidst this turmoil, the resilience and courage of the Sudanese people shine through. Communities continue to mobilise, confronting daily challenges with remarkable solidarity and hope. CISP stands steadfastly by the population with unwavering and intensive commitment.
