Eighteen months of devastating conflict have severely disrupted the lives of urban households across Sudan. A joint study released today paints a grim picture of the socio-economic toll of war on Sudan’s urban population. It was conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
The findings of The Socioeconomic Impact of Armed Conflict on Sudanese Urban Households show that widespread conflict has ravaged urban livelihoods. The study reveals that 31% of urban households have been displaced. Full-time employment has decreased by 50%. More than 70% of urban families report that some or all of their school-aged children have stopped attending school.
As the conflict persists, the report highlights that only one in seven urban households have access to full health services. This lack of access further exacerbates the already dire situation.
GROWING VULNERABILITIES AMID URBAN DISPLACEMENT
The ongoing conflict is largely concentrated in cities of more than 100,000 people. It continues to deepen the challenges faced by Sudan’s urban population. The study surveyed 3,000 households from May to July 2024. It calls for urgent intervention to address immediate impacts of war. It also aims to tackle the long-term consequences.
“The war is intensifying existing vulnerabilities, pushing more families into food insecurity,” said Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow at IFPRI. Before the conflict, approximately 54% of Sudan’s urban population reported being food-secure. Since then, that figure has plummeted to just 20%.
FOOD INSECURITY AND INCREASED DEPENDENCE ON PERSONAL NETWORKS
The rise in food insecurity is stark. Although humanitarian assistance has increased, 76% of households report receiving no help at all. Instead, many rely on personal networks, such as family and friends, for support. This situation highlights a critical gap in the reach of government and international aid efforts.
“This study highlights a growing vulnerability in Sudanese urban households. They face challenges across various sectors,” said Luca Renda, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Sudan. “Short-term humanitarian relief alone is insufficient. There is an urgent need for long-term recovery efforts that can help rebuild resilience and address the broader development crisis.”
URGENT CALL FOR HOLISTIC, LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
The study stresses that Sudan’s recovery requires a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach. To address the crisis and lay the foundation for recovery, the following key actions are needed:
- Economic Recovery Programs: Focus on microfinance initiatives, vocational training, and business development services to support self-employment and small businesses.
- Urban Agricultural Initiatives: Expand efforts to diversify food sources and offer sustainable access to nutritious diets.
- Improved Healthcare Access: Deploy mobile health clinics and work on expanding affordable healthcare services in conflict-affected areas.
- Restoring Education: Implement remote learning solutions and community-based education centers to prevent long-term damage to Sudan’s human capital.
- Private-Public Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships focused on decentralized systems. These include solar energy, water harvesting, and local sanitation solutions. The goal is to restore essential services.
- Social Protection Programs: Expand and strengthen formal social protection schemes. This will reduce reliance on informal networks and ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable.
- Support for Displaced Households: Provide housing. Offer healthcare. Deliver livelihood support to displaced families who are bearing the brunt of the conflict.
KEY FINDINGS: THE SCOPE OF SUDAN’S URBAN CRISIS
Several alarming trends emerged from the study that underscore the severity of Sudan’s urban crisis:
- Unemployment: The proportion of urban households without income or employment surged to 18%, compared to just 1.6% before the conflict. Unemployment is projected to reach over 45% by the end of 2024.
- Acute Malnutrition: Sudan now ranks among the top four countries globally for acute malnutrition, with an alarming 13.6% prevalence rate. Nearly half of the urban population is facing moderate to severe food insecurity.
- Healthcare Collapse: More than 56% of urban households report poorer health than before the conflict. Access to full healthcare services has dropped from 78% to just 15.5%.
- Education Disruption: Over 63% of urban households report that all school-aged children in their homes have stopped attending school. In total, more than 88% of households have had at least one child cease schooling due to the conflict.
- Deteriorating Infrastructure: Access to piped water has fallen from 72.5% to 51.6%, while nearly 90% of households report unreliable electricity supply.
ADDRESSING SUDAN’S URBAN RECOVERY NEEDS
The crisis facing urban households in Sudan cannot be solved by isolated interventions. The study calls for a coordinated, multi-faceted response that goes beyond immediate relief to focus on building long-term resilience and recovery.
The report urges the international community, alongside Sudanese government institutions, to prioritize sustainable development initiatives that can help stabilize the economy, restore essential services, and support displaced populations.
A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
Sudan’s urban crisis is a dire reflection of the broader humanitarian impact of prolonged conflict. With an already struggling economy, the effects of displacement, unemployment, and food insecurity are pushing millions to the brink.
The recommendations from UNDP and IFPRI underscore the importance of immediate relief alongside comprehensive long-term recovery strategies. Without a coordinated response, Sudan’s urban households risk facing even deeper levels of poverty, inequality, and hardship.
Only through focused, collaborative action can Sudan begin to rebuild its urban communities and emerge from the wreckage of war.
