On 15th April 2023, war erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war broke out when Sudan’s main planting season was approaching. Aside from impacting production, the supply routes were disrupted. The fighting concentrated in Khartoum, the country’s hub for farm input suppliers, Agri processors, logistics and finance. There was destruction and looting of factories, markets, businesses, and private residences. The situation was exacerbated by disruption of the health, water, fuel, electricity, and financial systems.
As a result, the conflict has contributed to a food insecurity crisis. The most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report identified over 20 million Sudanese who are currently experiencing acute food insecurity – 42% of the population and the highest number ever recorded in the country.1 Consequently, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) Sudan and FSD Africa commissioned a rapid assessment of the agri-food and enabling payment systems in Sudan, to inform a coordinated emergency response that promotes food security.
The assessment was carried out in August -October 2023 and involved extensive consultations with 52 stakeholders who had real-time insights, from across agri-food, financial, and enabling sectors such as logistics and energy, as well as civil society, donors, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and other multilateral organizations. These consultations were complemented by a review of 46 publications, non-public documents, and recent studies detailing the context of agri-food and financial sectors in Sudan as well as current market intelligence, to the extent available.
We are pleased to share the report which provides insights on the current situation and critical challenges across both agri-food and financial & payment systems. The report proposes potential interventions for development partners, including FCDO Sudan and FSD Africa, to take forward into rapid deployment. Sudan urgently needs multifaceted support. The ideas shared for resilience-building interventions in this rapid assessment aim to complement the many ongoing efforts of Sudanese farmers, civil society, businesses, financial institutions, international donors and others interested in the welfare of the people of Sudan. FCDO Sudan and FSD Africa are actively considering how they can contribute to these efforts and welcome collaboration.
