Sudan

Working environment

• In 2015, Sudan continued to present a complex operational environment for international aid agencies, which was further compounded by the difficult economic situation and tense political climate. 
• Regular, sustained and meaningful access to populations across South and West Kordofan, White Nile and the Darfur states improved but remained a challenge, particularly in terms of obtaining travel permits for international staff.  
• UNHCR’s close cooperation and partnership with national organizations allowed for continuity of service delivery in areas where access was problematic, but presented challenges with regard to capacity and monitoring.

Population trends 

• Sudan stands prominently at the crossroads of the Horn of Africa’s large, complex and constantly evolving migration routes. Therefore, it is both a temporary and long-term host to an extensive population of refugees, asylum-seekers and other persons of concern.
• At the end of 2015, Sudan hosted 322,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, with the majority being South Sudanese (194,000) and Eritrean (112,000), followed by refugees from the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia and Syria. According to the Government of Sudan, there are more than 100,000 Syrians in Sudan. Individual registration in Khartoum has only reached a fraction of these estimates, with 3,061 refugees and 527 asylum-seekers registered as of end January 2016. 
• In addition, UNHCR registered and assisted 39,470 refugee returnees.
• In 2015, the number of IDPs increased to 3,218,000.

Achievements and impact

• Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and the Government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) governing joint registration of South Sudanese refugees, including a launch of the COR-led refugee status determination procedure, which should facilitate asylum-seekers’ access to asylum and documentation. 
• Approval of the draft Asylum Bill, pending Presidential approval. 
• In June 2015, the Government of Sudan endorsed the UNHCR, IOM, UNODC, UNICEF and UNFPA jointly developed “Strategy to Address Human Trafficking, Kidnappings and Smuggling of Persons in Sudan – Strengthening Alternatives to Onward Movements (2015-17)” that builds on the achievements of the joint UNHCR/IOM strategy to Address Human Trafficking, Kidnappings and Smuggling of Persons (2013-14). 
• On 6 August 2015, UNHCR and UNICEF signed a Letter of Understanding, including an agreed Action Plan defining joint roles and responsibilities not only for the South Sudanese operation but also in relation to the anti-trafficking strategy. 

Unmet needs

• With the intensified conflict in South and West Kordofan and Blue Nile states, UNHCR’s capacity to respond to the needs of the newly displaced in these states remained conditioned by access, humanitarian space and funding. 
• The continuous influx of South Sudanese, Syrian, Eritrean and Yemeni refugees kept weakening the local infrastructure capacity to absorb the needs of refugees. Hence the need for more projects that enhance host communities’ and national services’ capacities and equally improve the quality of life for refugees.  

Working environment

The humanitarian environment in Sudan has deteriorated over the past two years, with new, con­flict-induced internal displacement in Darfur. About 400,000 new internally displaced people (IDPs) were registered between January and August 2014 in the country. According to UN figures, 6.9 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan. Latest estimates suggest that by the end of 2015, there could be up to 460,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in the country.

Sudan has a longstanding tradition of hospitality towards refugees and asylum-seekers, with 167,000 refugees and asylum-seekers currently hosted in eastern Sudan, Darfur and Khartoum. South Sudanese refugees have been allowed to move freely in the country, with more than 100,000 having sought safety in Sudan as of mid-October 2014; until there is a political solution in South Sudan, this number is likely to grow. The refugees’ presence places additional pressure on resources, both for the country which is already affected by an economic downturn and for humanitarian partners who are stretched to respond to numerous emergencies.

Humanitarian access, particularly for international staff, remains restricted in some areas, hampering UNHCR’s ability to fulfil its mission.

An increased number of refoulement cases were reported during the first half of 2014. The authorities suspended a number of activities that had supported the longstanding refugee population in eastern Sudan. A new asylum act was passed in 2014 but its provisions maintain a restricted freedom of movement for refugees.

Sudan has been playing a proactive role in addressing human trafficking, a phenomenon which concerns the entire Horn of Africa. An anti-trafficking law was passed in 2014 and the number of verified incidents has declined since 2012.

Needs and strategies

In 2015, the in­flux from South Sudan is expected to continue, with the current estimate at 130,000 South Sudanese refugees by the start of the year. UNHCR will continue to lead and coordinate the response to this, in support of the Government’s efforts. It will advocate a predictable legal framework for newly arrived South Sudanese, to ensure they can access the rights and entitlements affirmed in public statements by the authorities.

The infl­ux from Eritrea is also expected to continue in the east, with more than 1,000 new arrivals per month. Eighty per cent of the new arrivals tend to continue their journey onwards, including unaccompanied minors, and many are facing serious protection risks, such as human trafficking. UNHCR will continue advocating for their access to asylum and will aim to consolidate counter-trafficking achievements. It will pay special attention to people with specific needs, notably by implementing targeted interventions for children.

Following the Government’s suspension of activities planned under the Transitional Solutions Initiative (TSI) in 2014, the authorities have reviewed their approach and are determining strategic self-reliance interventions that will benefit both refugees and host communities.

In Khartoum, a population assessment of urban refugees and asylum-seekers was completed in 2014 and will help determine a strategy to address the needs of around 32,000 urban refugees. This will build on the registration of refugees in Khartoum, carried out jointly by UNHCR and the Commissioner for Refugees (COR). Key areas for interventions will include livelihoods, education and health.

UNHCR will strengthen national partnerships to respond to new displacement and potential returns from asylum countries, as well as anticipated new arrivals from South Sudan. It will support community-based interventions to avoid confl­ict between returnees and host populations over scarce resources in highly volatile regions.

The risk of statelessness, mainly for populations at risk following the independence of South Sudan, will be addressed by providing legal advice. UNHCR will support procedures to confirm nationality and documentation for South Sudanese to prevent statelessness and enhance their protection. In parallel, the organization will pursue a large-scale documentation campaign for South Sudanese in Sudan.

UNHCR is reviewing its engagement with IDPs in Darfur owing to access constraints. It will continue to lead the protection and emergency shelter/non-food items (NFI) sectors and focus on enhancing emergency response to new displacement, addressing acute protection needs in selected IDP camps. For refugees in Darfur, the Office will pursue its planned interventions to provide protection and assistance, and to promote durable solutions.