Humanitarian Needs and Gaps for Displaced Populations in Sudan: A Comprehensive Study of Socioeconomic and Health Impacts

Hajer Abdalhafiz ¹, Anas Ahmed ¹, Razan Khider ², Mohamedalamin Mohamed ³, Awab Ahmed⁴, Mohammed Mohammed⁵, Hiba Badr⁶    Marafe Adam   _{Corresponding Author}     

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The aim of the present study is to investigate socioeconomic and health challenges among IDPs and cross-border refugees in Sudan and identify actions that might be taken to address critical needs and promote resilience and well-being.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach integrated 200 qualitative interviews, focus groups, and 1,000 respondents via survey completion. The sample consisted of 52% males and 48% females, aged from under 18 years to 55–72 and above 72, with the following distribution: 19.5%, 22.3%, and 20.8%, respectively. About 53% of respondents were externally displaced, whereas 47% reported internal displacement.

Result: More than 50% of the respondents showed that access to health care was constrained, and there was massive housing destruction. Financial burden was a common problem: 22.9% agreed, and 19.8% strongly agreed that they could not meet their basic needs. Mental health issues were common: 4.4% of the subjects reported nightmare frequency, 4.4% reported being scared easily, and 3.1% showed panic attacks. Moreover, 54.6% of the participants witnessed physical injury due to the conflict.

Recommendations and Conclusion: It calls for drastic and immediate strengthening of the health infrastructure, a financial and housing component, and localized partnerships for focused interventions. The practice of these disparities is core to improving resilience and well-being for displaced populations in Sudan. Solutions that address the mitigation of displacement, socioeconomic and health effects, and long-term recovery will ensure sustainability.

                                 Research Report  :  

Introduction
The protracted conflict in Sudan has generated one of the largest displacement crises in the world, affecting both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and cross-border refugees. This report examines the socioeconomic and health challenges these populations face, including limited healthcare access, financial hardship, housing instability, and mental and physical health issues. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study not only documents these challenges but also recommends strategies to enhance resilience and recovery. However, as this analysis will show, while the study provides valuable insights, several methodological and contextual limitations warrant closer scrutiny.

Methodology and Data Collection
The study employed a mixed-methods design comprising quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews/focus groups. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1,000 respondents, with stratified random sampling ensuring representation across gender (approximately 52% males, 48% females), age groups, and displacement status (52% cross-border refugees and 48% IDPs). In addition, 200 participants provided in-depth narratives through interviews and focus groups.

Critique:

• Sampling and Representation: While stratified random sampling enhances representativeness, the slight imbalance in displacement status (with refugees marginally outnumbering IDPs) raises questions about whether the nuances of each group’s experiences have been fully captured. Moreover, the reliance on self-reported data could introduce bias, especially in conflict settings where recall or reporting may be affected by trauma.
• Data Collection Challenges: The study acknowledges significant obstacles—such as remote and conflict-affected areas, security risks, and logistical issues—that likely influenced data reliability. Although local expertise was leveraged, these challenges could have led to underrepresentation of the most vulnerable subgroups.
• Integration of Methods: The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods is a strength, yet the report does not fully elaborate on how the qualitative findings were integrated into the overall analysis. Greater detail on the thematic synthesis would strengthen the validity of the conclusions.

Results
The study’s findings paint a stark picture of the humanitarian crisis among Sudan’s displaced populations:

• Healthcare Access: More than 53% of respondents reported limited access to healthcare services. Notably, refugees exhibited marginally better access compared to IDPs, suggesting possible differences in resource allocation or aid distribution.

• Financial Hardship and Housing: Economic insecurity is pervasive, with 22.9% of respondents agreeing and 19.8% strongly agreeing that they were unable to meet basic needs. Housing destruction compounded these economic challenges, particularly among IDPs, indicating that displacement disrupts not only income but also the fundamental living conditions required for recovery.

• Physical Injuries and Mental Health: Over 54.6% of participants reported conflict-related injuries. Additionally, a notable percentage experienced mental health issues, including nightmares (4.4%), feelings of being easily frightened (4.4%), and panic attacks (3.1%). These statistics highlight the dual burden of physical and psychological trauma.

• Depth of Quantitative Analysis: Although the survey data provide clear percentages, the report could benefit from more robust statistical analyses (e.g., regression models or subgroup comparisons) to better understand the interdependencies between healthcare access, economic hardship, and mental health.
• Qualitative Insights: The qualitative findings, while mentioned, are not fully integrated with the quantitative results. For example, the narratives that could explain why externally displaced persons report better healthcare access, or how cultural factors influence mental health perceptions, are underexplored.
• Contextual Variables: The report briefly mentions gender and age as factors influencing vulnerability but does not delve into these dimensions in detail. A more nuanced analysis might reveal critical intersections (e.g., gender-based violence, the impact on the elderly) that are currently only alluded to.

Discussion and Recommendations
The evidence underscores that displacement in Sudan results in multifaceted challenges that hinder recovery. Limited healthcare access, economic instability, and housing destruction create a feedback loop that exacerbates both physical and mental health problems. The study recommends several interventions:

• Healthcare System Strengthening: Invest in healthcare infrastructure in rural and border areas to ensure essential services reach the most vulnerable.
• Financial and Housing Support: Deploy targeted financial aid and housing reconstruction programs to alleviate immediate economic pressures.
• Local Partnerships: Enhance collaboration between local communities, governmental agencies, and international organizations to ensure aid is contextually relevant and effectively distributed.
• Mental Health Integration: Develop mental health services as an integral component of healthcare interventions, addressing both acute and long-term psychological needs.

• Feasibility and Sustainability: While the recommendations are pragmatic, the report could further critique the challenges of implementing such measures in a conflict-ridden environment. For instance, the scalability of healthcare improvements or housing reconstruction programs in areas with ongoing instability is not critically assessed.
• Local Context and Agency: The report advocates for local partnerships but does not sufficiently explore how local communities can be empowered to lead these interventions. A deeper discussion of local capacity-building and community resilience strategies would strengthen the recommendations.
• Long-Term Versus Short-Term Needs: The recommendations mix immediate relief efforts with long-term developmental goals without clearly distinguishing between the two. A more stratified approach might better serve policymakers by clarifying which interventions are urgent and which require sustained investment.

Conclusion
This analytical report demonstrates that the displaced populations in Sudan face severe and intertwined socioeconomic and health challenges. The mixed-methods study provides a foundational understanding of these issues; however, its findings are tempered by methodological constraints and a need for deeper analysis. Strengthening healthcare access, providing targeted economic and housing support, fostering local partnerships, and integrating mental health services are all critical steps. Future research should address current limitations by incorporating more sophisticated analytical methods, a deeper integration of qualitative insights, and a clearer examination of how local contexts shape intervention outcomes. Only with such comprehensive strategies can the humanitarian crisis in Sudan be effectively mitigated and the long-term resilience of its displaced populations ensured.