The Severe Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

Key Facts and How You Can Help

by Andrea Bocskor

The ongoing conflict in Sudan is a severe humanitarian crisis that has displaced the largest number of people in the world. Since 2023, rival military factions have brought war to the country, affecting millions with famine and mass displacement. Here are some key facts about the crisis:

• Approximately 10.7 million people (2.1 million families) are now internally displaced in Sudan (OCHA, IRC).

• Over 1.5 million Sudanese fled to neighboring countries, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda. (UNHCR)

• An estimated 25.6 million people—more than half of Sudan’s population—face acute hunger and require humanitarian assistance (CDP).

• More than 755,000 people are nearing famine, representing the biggest global hunger crisis (OCHA, CDP).

• Approximately 11 million Sudanese urgently need health assistance. Over 11,000 suspected cholera cases and outbreaks of measles, malaria, and dengue fever are ongoing in the region (WHO). 

• Around 19 million children have lost access to education due to the war. One in two Sudanese children–over 10 million in total–have been in an active warzone over the past year (Save the Children).

How LHI is Helping  

We are positioned to help Sudanese refugees in Uganda. We asked refugee camp managers in Uganda what recently displaced families from Sudan most urgently need. The answer? Shoes and school supplies. Many Sudanese children were forced to walk long distances en route to safety, often without footwear of any kind. Shoes and access to school offer displaced children some stability while living in one of the biggest refugee camps in Uganda, Bweyale in Kiryandongo District.

Help Us Expand Our Response

Your support enables us to expand our emergency response for Sudanese refugees to other locations closer to the epicenter of the crisis. Our team is currently investigating local partners and identifying needs that aren’t being filled by other humanitarian orgs. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Donate: Help us provide essential supplies and services, and expand our current emergency response. Your contribution will directly impact the lives of Sudanese children, women, and adults, helping them access essentials like food, water, hygiene items, and find hope amidst the crisis. Donate here

• Volunteer: Join our team to make a direct difference in the lives of refugees. Volunteers play a key role in helping us provide aid around the world. Learn more here

• Spread Awareness: Help us raise awareness about the crisis in Sudan. Share this blog through social media and conversations with friends and family. Spreading awareness is a powerful way to amplify our efforts and bring attention to the urgent needs of Sudanese refugees. 

Together, we can make a significant impact on the lives of those affected by the crisis in Sudan. Thank you!

Why Uganda?

Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa. It is a landlocked country in East Africa whose diverse landscape includes the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains and the immense Lake Victoria. Uganda is also home to 1.7 million refugees (more than any other country in Africa). 

In fact, Uganda has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers, including Polish refugees who fled Europe in the 1940s. Africa’s oldest refugee camp, Nakivale, was established in 1959 in Southwest Uganda and is still operating today. It is currently the 8th largest refugee camp in the world.  

Currently, most refugees come from South Sudan (57%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (32%), Somalia (3%), and Burundi (3%).

Source: UNHCR

The last two years have seen a renewed surge in refugees fleeing to Uganda, as the country is sandwiched between two high conflict countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

The displacement situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crisis in Africa and the fourth largest internally displaced persons (IDP) crisis in the world. Fighting has been ongoing since the DRC gained its independence in 1960. However, in 2023, an escalation in fighting in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo led to widespread human rights violations and gender-based violence. Congolese refugees fled mostly into southern and western Uganda. 

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese Civil War have also escalated again. Those two forces have been fighting since 2003 and the war in Darfur. Now, the United Nations considers Sudan and South Sudan the most dangerous countries in the world for humanitarian aid workers. Since the escalation in 2023, Sudanese refugees have fled to several neighboring countries, including northern Uganda. 

Uganda is one of the most accessible places for refugees globally, but it relies heavily on aid organizations to serve the refugee communities. Diminishing funding and limited resources mean there is less aid to help as new waves of refugees arrive. To promote self-reliance among refugees, we see a huge need for increased economic opportunities and livelihood support. Only then, can refugees truly integrate into their new homes and achieve the stability of a good life. 

In 2024, LHI expanded our livestock program to give goats and chickens to refugees in Uganda. We now work with two incredible refugee-led partner organizations based in Uganda. Livestock can make a significant difference in the financial stability of refugees in Uganda. 80% of the refugees in Uganda are women and children. 91% of Uganda’s refugee population are considered economically vulnerable. 

Often, many of the women have adopted grandchildren or children from their deceased siblings, which makes family sizes even larger. Nabakunda is the head of household with 14 people. She received two female goats from LHI, one of which was pregnant and quickly birthed a kid. She sold the goat kid to complete payment of her children’s school fees. Rather embarrassingly and disruptively, they kept being sent home from class because the fees were late. 

Verena received 34 chickens from LHI to help support her family of 9 people. She took classes through the refugee camp and came up with an idea for a small business. She used the income from her chickens to start the business selling flour, sugar, oil, rice, and tea in the local market. Now she has additional income to buy food and medicine for her family.

These are two of many success stories that showcase how livestock can empower refugees with stability and self-sufficiency. You can help support refugees like Verena and Nabakunda by buying a chicken or a goat at lhi.org/uganda