Sudan Crisis: Cross-Regional Population Movement Emergency Appeal No. MDRS1001 – Revised Operational Strategy #2

Please refer to the attached file. OPERATIONAL STRATEGY REVISION More than three years after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the regional humanitarian consequences of the crisis remain severe and continue to evolve. While conflict, displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks and protection risks persist across the region, population movements have become increasingly dynamic, with ongoing refugee arrivals occurring alongside growing numbers of refugees and displaced people returning to Sudan and other countries of origin. As of October 2026, more than 5 million returnees to Sudan have been reported. Neighbouring countries are currently hosting 4, 6 million refugees, asylum-seekers and returnees, placing sustained pressure on already stretched services, infrastructure and resources and limiting host communities’ capacities to absorb these impacts. Humanitarian needs therefore remain significant across the displacement continuum, requiring continued support for refugees, returnees, people on the move and vulnerable host populations. This revision accompanies the extension of the Regional Emergency Appeal and reflects the evolving phase of the crisis rather than a fundamental change in direction. The core strategic priorities of the operation remain relevant with a continued focus on the provision of integrated life-saving and protection-focused assistance, migration support services at points of entry and humanitarian service points, community health interventions, and National Society strengthening. However, the revised strategy places greater emphasis on supporting increasingly diverse movement patterns, including return movements, while expanding support to host communities and investing in activities that strengthen resilience and recovery where conditions permit. This will include building on current investments made on community infrastructure, basic services and community systems, while supporting communities and National Societies to better understand evolving vulnerabilities, capacities and priorities as a basis for informing longer-term recovery and sustainable solutions approaches. The revision also recognizes the importance of ensuring that the capacities, community structures and operational systems established through the response continue to generate sustainable benefits beyond the immediate emergency context. The revised Operational Strategy is designed to remain flexible and responsive to a highly uncertain context. Should conflict dynamics, displacement trends, or humanitarian needs deteriorate further, the IFRC Network will retain the ability to rapidly scale up life-saving assistance, protection services, and migration support across affected countries. At the same time, ongoing analysis of humanitarian trends, operational capacity, funding prospects, and country-specific contexts will inform future decisions on transition pathways. During the extension period, the IFRC and National Societies will undertake regular reviews of transition readiness to determine where activities may progressively be integrated into longer-term planning frameworks, while ensuring that essential humanitarian support remains in place where needs continue to be acute. This includes sustaining community-based MHPSS capacities and referral pathways established through the response, particularly where psychosocial needs persist beyond the immediate emergency phase.

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