How does the war in Sudan affect neighboring countries?

This conflict caused a major humanitarian crisis, affected by the consequences of neighboring countries, as thousands of Sudan escape every day, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is the largest in the world. Two out of every 3 people need help – or 30 million people – as well as the displacement of more than 12 million people and the suffering of 25 million from sharp hunger in light of expectations that this number will increase.

1– More than three million refugees

Sudan is witnessing the largest displacement crisis in the world. Philipo Grande, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said in February that “A third of Sudan’s population is displaced. The consequences of this horrific and absurd conflict spread beyond the borders of Sudan.”.

In total, about 3.8 million refugees of Sudan borders, which created a major crisis, are often very weak, and they face a lack of food, water and medical care. The United Nations expects this number to rise by about one million people in 2025.

The countries surrounding Sudan were barely trying to deal with displacement before the outbreak of the war that started in 2023, which is the latest in a series of conflicts and periods of instability since the 2003 Darfur crisis.

These countries already host large numbers of refugees and displaced people internally, and their humanitarian programs suffer from a severe lack of financing. Moreover, the departures from Sudan reach remote areas, which is difficult to reach.

Chad and Egypt received the largest number of refugees, as Egypt is currently hosting about 600 thousand Sudanese. In Chad, more than 700,000 refugees were recorded. The Chadian government estimated that this number may rise to nearly one million refugees by the end of 2025.

2- Difficulties in providing basic services

The neighboring countries are struggling to meet the increasing demand for health care, education and other basic services. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this flow has burdened the health facilities in Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, where it suffers from a lack of medicines, supplies and medical personnel.

The lack of clarity on the level of donor contributions this year added more uncertainty for those concerned. For example, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been forced to suspend all medical treatment services for refugees who crossed the northern border to enter Egypt. This means suspending procedures such as cancer, heart operations and chronic diseases, which affects about 20 thousand patients.

3- Perfect conditions for the spread of diseases

In 2024, the World Health Organization warned that the situation in Sudan is close to a “perfect storm”, due to barely working a health system, and large numbers of people resort to overcrowded areas that lack water, sanitation, food, and the simplest services.

As expected, the collapse of health care infrastructure has led to the spread of diseases, which crossed the borders and affected the neighboring countries that host large numbers of refugees, who are more likely to develop diseases that can be prevented, due to low vaccination rates in Sudan.

The humanitarian partners reported the increase in diseases of diseases and their outbreaks, especially in the border areas and shelter sites.

4- The exacerbation of the insecurity

Most of the countries surrounding Sudan, including Libya, Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic, were all suffering from their internal crises before the war, such as internal conflict, hunger and disease.

The conflict led to increased violence and instability in the border areas, and reports were reported by the border.

In Chad, it was reported that the flow of weapons and the presence of armed groups led to an increase in violence and insecurity, while reports said that one of the militias in South Sudan had allied with the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

5- Sexual violence- Sudan’s war scars

Sexual violence is also used as a weapon in Sudan’s conflict. The harsh reality of this violence, and the fear of falling victim to it, pushes women and girls to leave, facing them with more risks with their displacement internally and crossing the borders in search of safety.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that girls often end up in unofficial displacement sites with scarce resources, as the risk of sexual violence is high. She added that 66 per cent of the victims of the rape of children were told by girls.

At the same time, boys face their own difficulties. In light of the established stigma, reporting sexual assault is a challenge, which makes it difficult to seek help and obtain services.

It is shocking that 16 survivors were under the age of five, including four children at the age of one year.

6- Economic turmoil, and the exacerbation of regional poverty

The conflict resulted in disrupting trade and economic activities, which affected the lives of people in neighboring countries, and exacerbated poverty and economic difficulties.

In Ethiopia and Egypt, the restrictions imposed on the border with Sudan and insecurity along the commercial corridors increased the transportation costs and a significant decrease in economic activity across the border.

In Chad and South Sudan, the massive flow of refugees has turned resources from other vital sectors of the economy.

United Nations Regional Response Plan

• The United Nations Refugee Regional Plan for 2025 gives priority to providing life -saving assistance and protection, including providing emergency shelters, transportation from border areas to safer places, psychological and social support, clean water, health care, and education.
• Without immediate financing, two thirds of refugee children will be deprived of primary education, threatening an entire generation. Up to 4.8 million refugees and members of the host community will continue to face a severe lack of food security, while depriving at least 1.8 million people of food assistance. Healthy health systems may collapse already.
• The humanitarian partners will need $ 1.8 billion to support 4.8 million people in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda. The plan also aims to help host countries to enhance national services and implement programs that contribute to stability.