IFRC Disaster and Crisis Preparedness
10 September 2026
Sudan is entrenched in a severe humanitarian crisis due to ongoing conflict, leaving 30.4 million people in acute need of humanitarian support. Since April 2023, over 12 million individuals have been forcibly displaced, with 4 million having fled Sudan to neighbouring countries. The scale of this humanitarian emergency has brought 24 million people to the brink of food insecurity, with 635,000 of them experiencing famine conditions. In front of this backdrop, consider the heightened impact if a disaster were to hit Sudan. Driven by climate variability and rainfall patterns, Sudan is increasingly exposed to water-related hazards such as flooding and drought. Even a low-intensity climate event can devastate households and internally displaced persons who are already in dire straits.
“In the north of Sudan, the amount of rain does not exceed 10mm. But in 2024, within one day, this area received 140mm. That is very difficult, unless we have an early warning system in place.”
In the face of compound natural and human-made hazards, anticipatory action can offer a glimmer of hope, giving communities the tools to protect themselves from the forces of nature. Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA) supports this cause, partnering with national hydro-meteorological services, disaster management agencies, and humanitarian actors to develop effective early warning systems. Ensuring that at-risk communities are not only informed but equipped to act, partners and communities co-design data-driven interventions that reflect local realities.
“WHCA empowers individuals in terms of skills, and communities in terms of economy and health. Built on local community knowledge, our actions are lifesaving. Despite the unstable context in Sudan, our work is making impact at the most granular level.”
Innovative and inclusive solutions to complex challenges
Disasters do not wait for countries to recover from political turmoil. They exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, making it crucial to implement anticipatory action strategies that can mitigate the impact of these hazards. Data and digital tools offer hope in this complex scenario, enhancing anticipatory action efforts. Remote sensing, satellite imagery, and water mappings provide real-time data crucial for early warning systems, enabling humanitarian agencies to pre-position resources and plan evacuation strategies.
“We want to disseminate early warnings, but some people cannot listen to radio, read, watch TV or have a telephone to receive them. For this, community guides disseminate alerts directly on the ground.”
The way forward
Anticipatory action for natural hazards in conflict areas like Sudan is a necessity. It offers a better way to respond to growing humanitarian needs with limited resources. In a context where every second counts, anticipatory action transforms uncertainty into preparedness, through early warnings leading to early action. Through WHCA’s commitment to early warning systems and community-driven solutions, Sudan is proving that resilience can take root even in the most fragile places.
