Two Years Into the Sudan Conflict: How DRC’s Protection Program Is Holding the Line Amid Crisis

The conflict that erupted in April 2023 has created one of the world's most severe humanitarian and protection crises. Over 11 million people are internally displaced, and the human toll surpasses 14,700 fatalities. The ongoing violence has destabilized communities, exacerbated food insecurity, triggered cholera outbreaks, and led to widespread violations of human rights, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and forced child recruitment.

A country in crisis

Sudan today remains deeply fractured, with conflict-induced displacement compounding existing vulnerabilities. The humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated, with widespread violence, the collapse of essential services, and rampant protection violations marking the daily lives of Sudanese civilians. DRC’s monthly Protection Monitoring Snapshots, drawn from interviews with key informants across multiple states—including Gedaref, Central Darfur, White Nile, and South Kordofan—paint a harrowing picture of ongoing risks and shifting threats.

"These reports are not just statistics. Each data point is a story of someone fleeing violence, of a mother seeking shelter for her children, of young men and women risking everything for safety," said Heather Amstutz Ferrao, DRC’s Interim Country Director in Sudan.

"Our data tells a clear story: protection violations are rising, risks are shifting. Yet every day, our teams continue to show up, listen, and act”.

Mapping the risks

DRC’s robust protection monitoring efforts highlight concerning trends:

• Active fighting and targeted intimidation remain the top two drivers of displacement, overtaking lack of essential services, which had long ranked among the primary causes.
• Psychological and emotional abuse reports increased sharply by 50% from January to February 2025, underscoring escalating trauma among affected populations.
• A troubling new risk emerged with young men aged 18-25 now also significantly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
• Risks persist even in displacement sites, with theft, harassment, and physical violence frequently reported, especially in markets and surrounding IDP settlements.
• One particularly concerning trend is the rise in violations by "unknown individuals", indicating a growing climate of lawlessness and impunity.

Spotlight on the most vulnerable

DRC’s monitoring highlights the compounded risks faced by already vulnerable populations:

• Child-headed households face extreme risks, notably child labor, educational deprivation, and neglect.
• Women and girls disproportionately encounter economic exclusion, lack safe spaces, and are highly susceptible to violence, including intimate partner violence, forced marriage, and trafficking.
• Men and boys endure economic marginalization and barriers to education, significantly limiting their future opportunities.
• Ongoing family separations further exacerbate vulnerabilities, making children particularly susceptible to recruitment by armed groups, exploitation, and violence.

Navigating the frontlines of protection

Despite access constraints, such as in South Kordofan’s Kadugli, where recent clashes prevented monitoring, DRC teams have been instrumental in evidence-based protection programming. The snapshots, backed by PowerBI dashboards that track monthly trends, inform immediate interventions and long-term advocacy.

DRC’s Protection Program doesn’t merely identify risks—it acts on them. From establishing protection referral systems and safe spaces to working with communities to mitigate risk in displacement sites, the program ensures that humanitarian response is tailored, responsive, and deeply rooted in the realities faced by communities.

In White Nile, Central Darfur, and Gedaref, DRC has been instrumental in highlighting protection concerns through local staff engagement, coordinated field presence, and consistent data analysis. Their snapshots are a backbone for broader coordination, supporting other sectors to integrate protection-sensitive approaches.

Emerging trends and recommendations

Recent protection analysis by DRC underscores several emerging trends requiring immediate and strategic responses.

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains alarmingly prevalent, driven by armed groups using it as a tool of war, compounded by weakened accountability mechanisms. Child protection issues are increasingly severe, with heightened forced recruitment and exploitation due to economic hardship and disrupted education.

Recommendations from DRC’s analysis stress expanding comprehensive SGBV services, establishing child-friendly spaces with psychosocial support, enhancing mental health programming, and reinforcing community-based protection initiatives. These strategies are critical for addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term recovery and resilience-building.

Two years on: a call to action

The second anniversary of the Sudan conflict is not just a moment to reflect on what has been lost—it is also a rallying cry to do more.

With the conflict entering its third year, the need for sustained international support, robust humanitarian coordination, and unrelenting protection advocacy is more urgent than ever. DRC’s protection work in Sudan is both a lifeline for communities and a reminder that in the darkest times, principled humanitarian action still matters.