Sudan Regional Crisis Appeal

The looming rainy season, combined with aid cuts by the UK and other key donors, has severely restricted humanitarian efforts, putting millions of lives at risk.

Now, neighbouring countries like South Sudan are in the midst of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 5.9 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity and need urgent humanitarian assistance.

The conflict in Sudan has forced millions of people to flee to neighbouring countries. This is deepening humanitarian needs and worsening food insecurity, not only in Sudan but also in the wider central and eastern African region.

Malnutrition levels are rising, with children and pregnant women among the most vulnerable. The situation is especially dire for displaced families – 90% aren't able to afford even one meal a day.

As people are forced from their homes, they lose their possessions, crops and income, and often get stranded in places where there aren’t enough facilities to support tens of thousands of new arrivals.

Chad and South Sudan, two neighbouring countries that each host over a million refugees and returnees, are struggling with their own hunger crises.

What's happening in South Sudan?

In South Sudan, the arrival of people fleeing Sudan’s conflict has put more pressure on already scarce resources. This is worsening local tensions and threatening the fragile peace South Sudan is struggling to maintain.

Every day, hundreds of people arrive at transit centres in Renk, South Sudan, to seek refuge.

What's happening in Chad?

In Chad, more than 890,000 refugees and 300,000 returnees have arrived to the eastern parts of the country since the war in Sudan erupted in April 2023.

During the last week of November, more than 1,700 people crossed into Chad from Sudan. This is putting pressure on the scarce resources available, and there are concerns that more people will flee to Chad in the coming months.

Oxfam does not have a presence in Sudan. Together with our partners, we have been responding to the refugee crisis in South Sudan and Chad to deliver humanitarian aid to help people affected by the conflict in Sudan.

What is Oxfam doing in Renk, South Sudan?

In Renk, South Sudan, Oxfam has been providing clean water, cash assistance and hygiene kits to hundreds of thousands of people crossing the border from Sudan and seeking refuge-many of whom are women, children, and older people.

Oxfam and our partners are also assisting with safe drinking water systems, hygiene facilities, and construction of latrines, as well as livelihood support.

To help improve security for women, we have been providing cash assistance, menstrual items, dignity kits and solar-powered flashlights.

What is Oxfam doing in Chad?

In Chad, Oxfam provides food assistance through distributing unconditional cash to people fleeing the violence in Sudan.

We also ensure the provision of drinking water, raise awareness of good hygiene practices, and construct emergency latrines, trying to mitigate the spread of communal diseases such as cholera.

To protect women and girls, Oxfam and partners undertake protection activities such as awareness-raising on the rights of refugees, rapid monitoring of gender-based violence (GBV) cases and conduct referrals when needed. Oxfam and partners also provide financial support for GBV cases through cash protection.

Most people who manage to escape conflicts can't bring much with them.

So, when they reach a safer place, they need secure shelter, and non-food items including household and kitchen sets, water and sanitation items, and food. People fleeing conflict have the right to be provided with protection and safety.

As part of the ongoing response, Oxfam and local partners have already reached thousands of families with clean water, food and basic essentials.

Your support will help us and our partners keep reaching the thousands of refugees arriving every day who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

Please donate what you can today to help us continue our response.

For every £1 you donate to this emergency appeal, we will allocate 9p of your donation to cover general support and running costs.

There is a small chance that we will raise more money than is needed for this appeal. If this happens, we’ll spend any additional funds on other Oxfam projects – wherever the need is greatest.