Cairo — The humanitarian response to Sudan’s displacement crisis is facing a critical challenge. With nearly 12 million people forced to flee their homes, the international aid system is struggling to adapt to the reality of the situation. The conflict in Sudan, fought between the national army and the paramilitary-turned-rebel Rapid Support Forces, has created the largest internal displacement crisis in the world.
A significant aspect of this crisis is that it is not solely a crisis of camps. An estimated two-thirds of Sudan’s displaced people are living within host communities, absorbed into the homes of relatives, friends, and even strangers. This paradigm-shifting reality renders the traditional, logistics-heavy aid model redundant. Despite this, the humanitarian system continues to focus on visible, concentrated, and contained populations, such as those in camps.
The initial approach of many international NGOs was to provide emergency cash and food to people in gathering sites and camps. While this work is essential, it has not served the majority of displaced people who are scattered across thousands of neighborhoods. The traditional aid model has produced endless assessments and little action, as the “beneficiaries” are not where the system expects them to be.
The absence of community-based support has driven displaced families to establish gathering sites, which are often deserted after dark. The design of aid interventions has also reinforced and encouraged people to stay in these sites. Furthermore, the approach has overlooked the immense strain on host families, who have opened their homes and shared their resources with millions of displaced people.
To effectively address the crisis, a shift in thinking is necessary. The humanitarian response must move away from a camp-centric model to an area-based and community-focused approach. This means supporting entire neighborhoods, strengthening local clinics, rehabilitating water pumps, and injecting cash that supports local markets. By doing so, aid can meet the needs of both displaced people and host communities, rather than just targeting a small fraction of the population.
Some international humanitarian organizations are already working to support displaced people living within communities and assisting host families. However, more needs to be done to rethink the shape of aid for Sudan’s displaced. The goal should be to support communities, not just categories of people. By trusting people with cash assistance and strengthening existing local services, the humanitarian response can be more effective and dignified. Ultimately, it is essential to recognize the extraordinary resilience of the invisible majority and provide aid that meets their needs, rather than trying to fit them into existing models.