Sudan: Emergency aid for IDPs in Gedaref State

Since fighting broke out between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, Sudan has been experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Millions of people have been displaced within the country, many of them multiple times. Gadaref State, in the east of the country has been particularly hard hit. Every day, new people arrive here, fleeing the violence in Khartoum and other states – often with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Existential need for aid in the places of Refuge

Living conditions in the places of refuge are harsh. Those seeking protection live in simple shelters or with host families, often without access to clean water, sanitation or basic hygiene items. Diseases such as cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases pose a high risk, especially for children, older people and women. Together with our partner organisation HOPE, we are providing targeted emergency aid in the particularly affected localities of Gedaref town. The focus is on improving hygiene and sanitation to prevent the outbreak of disease and improve the living conditions of the IDPs in the long term.

Emergency aid with a focus on hygiene and health

The project provides families with urgently needed hygiene items. These include soap, water canisters, hygiene kits for women and girls, and other materials for daily personal hygiene. To achieve a lasting impact, hygiene workers from the community are trained to carry out awareness campaigns, make home visits and assist with distribution.

Improving the sanitary infrastructure is also part of the measures: latrines are cleaned and disinfected, cleaning campaigns are organised in the shelters and waste is disposed of properly. The measures are closely coordinated with the local health authorities and the Humanitarian Aid Commission to avoid duplication and strengthen acceptance among the population.

Special attention is being paid to involving people with disabilities to ensure that no one is excluded from receiving aid.

Strong local partnership for on-the-ground assistance

The Sudanese organisation HOPE, with which arche nova has been working successfully since 2024, is responsible for implementation. HOPE is well established in Gadaref, has experienced staff and maintains close relations with local authorities and communities. This has enabled the project to get off to a quick start – an important prerequisite in a rapidly changing crisis situation.

arche nova supports the activities with financial resources, technical advice and quality control. Our joint work aims to meet the most urgent needs while strengthening local structures to ensure that the project continues to have an impact beyond its duration.

Our commitment in Sudan

arche nova has been active in Sudan since 2022. Together with our partner organisations FPDO and HOPE, we have already successfully implemented several humanitarian activities in  Gadaref state. These include the rehabilitation of drinking water points, training in sustainable agriculture, support for women in setting up their own businesses, and initial measures in the area of hygiene and health protection for IDPs.

With our current project, we are expanding this work – always with the aim of not only supporting those affected in times of crisis, but also giving them prospects for the future.