Sudan Emergency, UNHCR Regional Refugee Response, SSD Emergency Response May-October 2023

Project completed

This contribution aims at supporting the Government of South Sudan’s efforts to respond to the influx of refugees and South Sudanese returnees in the aftermath of the outbreak of conflict on the 15.4.2023 in Sudan. UNHCR’s emergency response focuses on the identification and reception of the most vulnerable new arrivals at prioritized points of entry, with the provision of life-saving support and specialized protection services.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Sudan
South Sudan
Chad
Migration
Forced displacement (refugees, IDP, human trafficking)
01.05.2023 - 31.12.2023
CHF  2’500’000
Background Since the start of the fighting in Khartoum on 15.4.2023, the influx of people fleeing Sudan to South Sudan has increased exponentially at the multiple border points between the two countries. The authorities have identified 12 key entry points along the Sudan-South Sudan border where humanitarian actors are setting up transit facilities. UN and NGO partners mobilized to support the authorities in assisting people in hard-to-reach areas with very limited infrastructure and where local populations are already very vulnerable. The multiple impacts of this conflict puts an additional strain on the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Intercommunal violence, food insecurity, and the severe impact of climate change present constant challenges. The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), issued before the current crisis, estimates that 9.4 million people in South Sudan, including 2.2 million women, 4.9 million children and 337,000 refugees, and 1.4 million returnees, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Objectives Providing immediate emergency relief and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, third country nationals and South Sudanese returnees fleeing the consequences of the outbreak of conflict and violence in Sudan. 
Target groups Refugees, asylum seekers, third country nationals and South Sudanese returnees
Medium-term outcomes
  • Strategic objective (SO) 1: Deliver life-saving assistance and protection services to people fleeing Sudan at border crossings
  • SO 2: Assist the most vulnerable South Sudanese returnees
  • SO 3: Guarantee protection to refugees and asylum-seekers and maintain the civilian character of asylum
  • SO 4: Support to third country nationals (TCN) 
Results

Expected results:  

  • SO 1: At entry points, essential life-saving assistance will be provided to arrivals and specialized services will be extended to the most vulnerable while in the transit centres.
  • SO 2: Provide protection services and critical life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable South Sudanese refugee and migrant returnees through a multisectoral response at transit locations and humanitarian transportation to designated destinations in the first three months. 
  • SO 3: Provide protection and services to all arriving refugees and asylum-seekers. 
  • SO 4: Assist third country nationals not in need of international protection with immigration procedures and in contacting respective consulate authorities. Provide humanitarian transportation for vulnerable third country nationals in the first three months.


Results from previous phases:   N/A 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees


Coordination with other projects and actors Government of the Republic of South Sudan (Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Commission for Refugee Affairs, Minitsry of Interior), 7 UN Agencies, 25 international NGOs, 35 national NGOs. 
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’500’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    91’300’000
Project phases

Phase 2 01.05.2023 - 31.12.2023   (Completed)