6.4.1. General situation

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to a severe economic downturn, with a projected Gross Domestic product (GDP) contraction of -20.3% in 2024 and an inflation rate exceeding 240%. State revenue has fallen by over 80%, and the national currency has depreciated by more than 300%. Port Sudan, serving as a temporary administrative centre, has experienced an influx of displaced people, further straining an already fragile economy. The banking sector faces a liquidity crisis, with most operations suspended due to insecurity, power outages, and looting. While mobile banking remains an option in Port Sudan, it is heavily dependent on internet access and remittances from the diaspora. However, disruptions in communication infrastructure and surveillance by armed groups create risks for those relying on external financial support.

The conflict has caused a dramatic rise in unemployment, with projections reaching 58% in 2024. Many people have turned to informal and self-employment opportunities due to the collapse of formal labour markets. Women-headed households, which constitute a significant portion of urban populations, are disproportionately affected, with over one-third reporting no income. The destruction of critical infrastructure and lack of economic alternatives have also driven civilians toward armed groups as a means of survival.

Even before the conflict, two-thirds of Sudan’s population lived in extreme poverty, and the situation has worsened since. Armed groups have deliberately targeted essential infrastructure, further limiting access to food, water, and basic services.

The food security situation in Sudan remains precarious due to the combined effects of conflict, economic instability, market disruptions, and climate-related disasters. Restrictions on humanitarian aid, rising food prices, and limited access to agricultural resources have created a dire situation for both residents and displaced populations.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely impacted housing and shelter conditions, exacerbating an already fragile humanitarian situation. As displacement increases due to the ongoing hostilities, the availability of adequate housing has become increasingly strained. Deteriorating living conditions for displaced persons, marked by overcrowded shelters and insufficient health services, increase the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

Access to clean water and adequate sanitation has deteriorated significantly following the escalation of conflict in Sudan. Access to drinking water in urban areas has worsened since April 2023, forcing residents to rely increasingly on alternative and often less reliable sources. The shift from piped water systems to tanker trucks, carts, and animals as primary means of water supply has created inconsistencies in availability and raised concerns about water quality, affordability and hygiene.

Sudan's healthcare system has collapsed due to ongoing conflict, with 65-80% of hospitals in affected areas non-functional and a severe shortage of medical supplies and personnel. Attacks on healthcare facilities, workers, and medical supplies have further compounded the crisis. Diseases such as cholera, malaria, dengue, and measles have resurfaced, and vaccination rates have dropped significantly. Voluntary emergency healthcare initiatives have emerged but are overwhelmed and under-resourced.

By October 2024, many regions reported highly dysfunctional health services, with two-thirds of the population unable to access essential care. Maternal and reproductive health services are in critical shortage, and chronic conditions like malaria go untreated. The lack of necessary medical resources, such as dialysis supplies, and the environmental damage caused by the conflict have left the population increasingly vulnerable to further health risks.