Humanitarian Action for Children 2018 - Sudan

Total people in need: 4.8 million

Total children (<18) in need: 2.3 million

Total people to be reached: 4.06 million

Total children to be reached: 2.11 million

Although the security situations in the Darfur states, Blue Nile State and South and West Kordofan states improved in 2017, humanitarian needs in the Sudan remain significant, with children affected by epidemics, displacement and natural disasters. The conflict in Darfur may flare up in 2018 with the Government's forced collection of arms to eliminate illegal weapons in conflict-affected areas. In addition to the protracted conflict, the Sudan has been experiencing three evolving emergencies—the influx of refugees from South Sudan (186,002 people, including 11,701 children, in 2017); the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea; and the malnutrition crisis in Jebel Marra. Across the country, some 3.5 million people, including 2.1 million children, are in urgent need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, which will be key to preventing future outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea and other epidemics.

Improvements in humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas in Jebel Marra and Blue Nile State have revealed the need for a multi-sector response to address the malnutrition crisis. The out-of-camp refugee settlements in the five states bordering South Sudan, as well as North Darfur and Khartoum, are also in urgent need of child protection, education, health, nutrition and WASH services.

Humanitarian strategy

In line with the Sudan's Multi-Year Humanitarian Strategy 2017-2019, Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2018 and Integrated Strategic Framework 2017-2019, UNICEF will strengthen the linkages between humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts in the Sudan. UNICEF support will target vulnerable children affected by conflict, epidemics and natural disasters in the context of chronic poverty and underdevelopment. An integrated approach will be taken to implement child protection, education, health, nutrition and WASH programmes, and investments will be made in building the long-term resilience of communities and sustainable peace. UNICEF will work closely with governments and humanitarian and private sector partners to bring life-saving support to underserved children in Jebel Marra, Blue Nile and South/West Kordofan. To prevent epidemics, including acute watery diarrhoea, UNICEF and partners will expedite co-planning efforts and integrated response at high-risk hotspots. A key focus will be on increasing accountability to affected populations, including by involving affected people in decisions that impact their lives. UNICEF will advocate with the Government to develop and strengthen social protection policies that prevent and reduce humanitarian need. UNICEF will also continue to provide leadership for the coordination of the education, nutrition and WASH sectors, as well as the child protection sub-sector.