Sudan crisis demands new aid approach beyond camps

Cairo — The humanitarian response to Sudan’s displacement crisis is confronting a critical challenge. Nearly 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, and the international aid system is struggling to adapt to this reality. The conflict between the national army and the paramilitary‑turned‑rebel Rapid Support Forces has created the world’s largest internal displacement crisis.

A significant aspect of the crisis is that it is not confined to 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. Yet 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 reached the majority of displaced people who are scattered across thousands of neighborhoods. The traditional aid model has produced endless assessments and little action, because 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, and the design of aid interventions has reinforced people’s staying in these sites. Moreover, the approach has overlooked the immense strain on host families, who have opened their homes and shared resources with millions of displaced people.

To address the crisis effectively, a shift in thinking is necessary. The humanitarian response must move away from a camp‑centric model toward an area‑based, community‑focused approach. This means supporting entire neighborhoods, strengthening local clinics, rehabilitating water pumps, and injecting cash that sustains local markets. By doing so, aid can meet the needs of both displaced people and host communities, rather than targeting only a small fraction of the population.

Some international humanitarian organizations are already working to support displaced people living within communities and to assist host families. However, more must 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 become 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.