Sudan
After decades of conflict and fragile transitions, Sudan is facing the most severe humanitarian crisis in its modern history. Building on its long-standing experience, Switzerland’s cooperation programme for 2026–2029 is designed as a strategic response combining humanitarian aid, peace policy, and development cooperation.
Context Sudan
After the fall of the Bashir regime in 2019, Sudan navigated fragile transition, marked by repeated political crises, notably a military coup in 2021. Hopes for civilian rule revived with the 2022 framework agreement, but divisions within the security sector escalated, leading in April 2023 to a full-scale war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The conflict is devastating the country. As of January 2026, 33.7 million people require humanitarian assistance, over 12 million have been displaced, and more than 4 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. Famine has been declared in several regions. More than 10 million face severe food insecurity. Widespread and systematic sexual violence has placed an estimated 12 million women and girls at heightened risk, while men and boys are also affected. The collapse of basic services, mass displacement and overcrowding have fueled disease outbreaks, while climate shocks continue to erode already fragile livelihoods.
The conflict is also driven by competition over natural resources fueling war economies and drawing Sudan’s neighbors and regional actors into the conflict. Humanitarian access within Sudan remains severely restricted due to bureaucratic impediments, insecurity and repeated attacks on humanitarian aid workers.
Crisis in Sudan
Through its activities in humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacebuilding, and through its multilateral engagement, Switzerland is taking action to mitigate the impact of the war in Sudan and the region. Due to the security situation, the Swiss Embassy in Khartoum has been temporarily closed since 23 April 2023. Nevertheless, Switzerland is continuing to respond to the needs of vulnerable populations in Sudan and in neighbouring countries via its partners, in particular the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) – organised by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – and NGOs.
Priority Areas
The cooperation programme for 2026-2029 continues its emphasis on peace policy and civilian protection, and strengthens its focus on promoting International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Stabilizing displaced communities and advancing durable solutions remain central, alongside lifesaving assistance such as food security and resilience-building measures. The programme aims to balance continuity with new priorities and is organized around three priority areas.
Peace policy
Switzerland works towards ending the war and will support the return to a civilian-led democratic transition. This includes:
- Facilitating inclusive dialogue, hosting talks, and supporting ceasefire and peace negotiations at national and subnational levels.
- Preventing further conflict by preparing the grounds for a broader Dealing with the Past (DwP) process, and by strengthening local conflict resolution mechanisms.
- Supporting political processes for a renewed transition and inclusive, rights-based governance once peace agreements are in place. Efforts will ensure inclusive participation, in line with Switzerland’s National Action Plan 1325 on Women, Peace & Security.
Protection of civilians
Switzerland contributes to enhancing the protection of civilians, safeguarding humanitarian access and reducing vulnerabilities, particularly for women and GBV survivors. Priorities include:
- Humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy – using bilateral and multilateral channels as well as support to partner organizations, to improve humanitarian access and strengthen the protection of civilians, in compliance with IHL.
- Addressing GBV by improving access to services, pathways to support, psychosocial support, community engagement and coordination among experienced actors, including women-led groups.
- Advancing durable solutions for displaced and conflict-affected communities, building on Switzerland’s leadership since 2021 and emphasizing community-led, sustainable approaches.
Food security and livelihoods
Switzerland is committed to alleviating suffering while supporting resilience and recovery by linking humanitarian aid and development. This includes:
- Combining emergency food assistance with resilience-building, including stronger climate- and disaster-resilient approaches, nutrition support, emergency livelihoods, and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) improvements.
- Supporting recovery through social cohesion, safer environments and climate-resilient, productivity-enhancing technologies, including market-oriented production and skills training.
- Expanding Cash and Voucher assistance (CVA) to improve efficiency, flexibility, dignity, and local market resilience.
The programme applies an integrated approach, by combining short-term humanitarian assistance with long-term resilience-building to support displaced and conflict-affected populations, strengthen social cohesion, facilitate peace dialogues and reinforce local governance and post-conflict recovery.
Approach and key partners
The programme brings together the expertise of different Swiss government entities: the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) leads on food security and livelihoods, the Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) on peace policy, while protection is a shared responsibility. Switzerland acts as an actor, advocate and donor, leveraging operational presence and diplomatic influence for maximum impact. Partnerships with UN agencies, ICRC, INGOs and local actors remain central, complemented by support to community-led initiatives.
Switzerland emphasizes locally-led action via international partners and, where feasible, direct partnerships with national NGOs. It promotes support to local frontline responders, including community-led initiatives such as Mutual Aid Groups and women-led groups, as well as the local private sector. Because of the conflict’s impact on the wider region, Switzerland continues to provide support to neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Chad and Egypt to address spillover effects and cross-border vulnerabilities.
Let's Focus – #2: Sudan
The context, developments and humanitarian situation in Sudan. The FDFA explains and provides context.
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