CARE International’s history in Sudan
CARE has worked in Sudan since 1979, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting long-term development. We’ve focused on supporting women and girls, delivering life-saving aid, and helping communities withstand with crises.
Over the decades, Sudan has faced overlapping crises, including conflicts, political instability, and economic hardship. CARE and our partners have worked in different parts of the country, adapting programs as needs have changed. Today, CARE operates in eight states across Sudan, with coordination currently based in Port Sudan.
CARE and partners’ work in Sudan
Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises following the outbreak of armed conflict in April 2023. Widespread violence has disrupted basic services, destroyed livelihoods, and forced millions of people to flee their homes.
More than 30 million people in Sudan need humanitarian aid, including 15.6 million children. Over 25 million people are facing extreme levels of hunger. Economic collapse and a limited access to cash have made it even harder for families to meet their basic needs.
Nearly 8 million people have been displaced inside Sudan, and another 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries. This has placed additional pressure on already fragile communities and services across the region.
CARE and our partners work with communities to help address these immense needs. Our work focuses on:
Crisis response
CARE provides emergency aid to families affected by conflict and displacement. This includes support with shelter, essential services, and recovery assistance that helps people begin rebuilding their lives.
Food and water
We help improve access to food for families facing hunger, as well as access to clean water and sanitation.
Health
We help improve health services in communities affected by conflict, especially where services have been severely disrupted.
Making the economy work
CARE supports livelihoods and cash assistance programs that help families meet their basic needs and begin restoring their income.
Gender equality
CARE works to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. We also support women’s economic participation and leadership in their communities.
Focus on women and girls
Women and girls are at the centre of CARE’s work in Sudan. They are among those most affected by conflict, displacement, and the breakdown of essential services.
CARE works closely with women-led and women’s rights organizations to make sure support is centred on survivors of violence, guided by local knowledge, and reflective of the specific experiences and needs of women and girls.
CARE and its partners support women and girls through:
- Programs that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, including survivor support and referrals to services
- Safe spaces and psychosocial support for women and girls affected by conflict
- Cash and livelihood programs that help women strengthen their economic stability
- Community initiatives that promote peacebuilding and social cohesion
CARE also works in partnership with women-led organizations to ensure women’s leadership and local expertise shape humanitarian response and recovery efforts.
Through continued humanitarian engagement and locally led partnerships, CARE aims to meet urgent needs while supporting dignity, safety, stability, and resilience for women, girls, and their communities across Sudan.
For recent updates on CARE Sudan, see here.
