SUDAN — As the third anniversary of the Sudan conflict is observed on April 15, the situation for the civilian population remains catastrophic—particularly for people with disabilities, who face greater challenges in escaping violence and accessing emergency aid.

HI is one of the few international humanitarian organizations providing rehabilitation care in the country and remains deeply concerned about the impact of explosive weapons on civilians amid a conflict of unprecedented scale.

Double Impact on People with Disabilities

11.6 million people have been displaced, over 33 million need humanitarian assistance, and there are alarming reports of ethnic cleansing and sexual abuse. While the general Sudanese population is suffering enormously from the ongoing violence, the situation is even more difficult for people with disabilities. They face greater difficulties in fleeing violence, have limited access to humanitarian aid, and are at a higher risk of becoming victims of physical and sexual violence. Global estimates indicate that 16% of Sudan’s population, at least 4.6 million people, live with a disability. In conflict-affected areas, this figure is likely to be far higher due to injury, trauma, chronic health deterioration, and barriers to care.

Sadia Abdallah Mohamed, a citizen of Wad Madani, states,

“With the onset of the conflict, we were forced to leave our home due to the dangerous conditions and ongoing shelling around us. I was unable to take my diabetes medication regularly. As a result, wounds developed on my body, became infected, and did not respond to treatment or repeated dressing sessions. Consequently, I lost my leg. Since the amputation surgery, I have been unable to walk and now spend all my time in bed.”

In conflict and crisis settings, people with disabilities are often among the first to lose their lives or to be left behind, and they face heightened risks of violence, abuse, discrimination, and exclusion. Mortality rates among people with disabilities tend to be two to four times higher than those of the general population in situations of conflict. Furthermore, inclusive approaches, or the adaptation of humanitarian interventions to meet the needs of people with disabilities, remain virtually nonexistent, as do specialized services.

HI’s Response in Sudan: Key Provider of Rehabilitation Care

Rehabilitation care is provided, and assistive devices are supplied primarily to people with disabilities in Wad Madani (Al-Jazirah State), southeast of the capital, Khartoum. In addition, stimulation therapy is offered to malnourished children to prevent long-term disabilities. HI provides these services in four existing hospitals and rehabilitation centers. On the western side of the country, in Tawilah (North Darfur State), functional rehabilitation care is provided at the hospital run by HI’s partner, Doctors Without Borders.

The services primarily assist people with war-related injuries like gunshot wounds, trauma linked to forced displacement, and injuries resulting from precarious living conditions in displacement camps through emergency rehabilitation care. In addition, support is also provided to people with disabilities. Since its inception, HI has conducted over 9,500 rehabilitation sessions and provided care to almost 2,400 individuals. More than 150 people have also received assistive devices.

Vincent Dalonneau, HI’s Country Director for Sudan, says,

“The fall of El Fasher has led to an influx of displaced people into neighboring Tawilah. An increasing number of individuals with severe injuries, such as gunshot wounds, urgently require rehabilitation care and adapted assistive devices.”  He continues, “Without early intervention, these individuals risk developing long-term disability and chronic pain. Currently, we are one of the few humanitarian organizations able to provide this essential support in Sudan and the only one in Darfur.”

HI has also been providing emergency aid in Geneina (West Darfur State), offering financial support and distributing hygiene kits to households with malnourished children. In addition, through its unit Atlas Logistique, HI provides logistical support to various humanitarian actors by storing and transporting emergency relief supplies, thereby improving connections between locations in North Darfur.

To ensure that the needs of vulnerable people are met, HI implements Inclusive Humanitarian Action. Through training and other activities, HI raises awareness and strengthens the capacity of other humanitarian organizations to deliver emergency assistance as inclusively as possible, ensuring that people with disabilities are not excluded.

As the consequences of this devastating conflict extend beyond the country's borders, HI is also providing rehabilitation care and health support for well-being in eastern Chad. In the border town of Adré (Ouaddaï Province), war victims have been supported since December 2023, and HI plays an important logistical role for dozens of humanitarian organizations operating in the area.

Returnees at Risk

The war in Sudan has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with nearly 14 million people displaced at its peak. Despite the ongoing conflict, more than 3 million people had already returned home by the end of January 2026, including 700,000 from abroad, according to UNHCR and IOM. Most returns occurred in states where violence had largely subsided, such as Khartoum, Blue Nile, and Al Jazirah.

However, the presence of explosive remnants of war poses a significant danger, particularly in areas of return and along former frontlines. According to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), there is heavy contamination from unexploded ordnance, including anti-personnel mines. These pose a serious threat in homes, schools, hospitals, mosques, and on roads.

Dalonneau further explains,

“Other conflicts around the world have already shown how the contamination from unexploded ordnance can impact civilian life for decades, even after the conflict has ended. It endangers the lives of the Sudanese population, restricts access to essential services, and hinders economic development.”

According to UNMAS, the population of Sudan, especially those living in urban areas, is largely unaware of the risks posed by unexploded ordnance. By raising awareness - through sessions that teach people how to identify hazardous objects and act safely – these risks can be minimized. Additionally, demining activities must be carried out.

However, HI's experience in humanitarian demining shows that this is a slow, challenging process that is likely to take many years. Finally, the need for victim assistance is very high due to the lack of existing services.

Spokespersons are available for interviews upon request.