Photo story: The humans behind the headlines – Sudan displacement crisis

12 March 2024

On the occasion of the European Humanitarian Forum 2023, Plan International shares a series of photographs taking a snapshot of life for girls who have fled conflict.

Photo credit: Plan International.

In April 2023, the conflict in Sudan led to 8.1 million people becoming displaced. Over 588,711 people have crossed from Sudan into South Sudan, most of whom entered through the Joda border crossing to Renk. The high influx of displaced people in the Renk transit centre has put enormous pressure on resources. Originally, the transit centre was only intended to host up to 4,000 people, but over 23,000 people are currently sheltering there.

Plan International is responding to the crisis inside Sudan and in neighbouring countries, including Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia. As refugees continue to flee across Sudan’s borders, host communities in areas of arrival are struggling and a protracted conflict in Sudan could tip the entire region into a humanitarian catastrophe.

Within this context, we are providing vital humanitarian assistance to returnees and refugees in Renk and other areas of South Sudan, including child protection, psychosocial support, education, hygiene awareness raising, cash assistance, food and other critical supplies (such as fishing nets, plastic sheets, sleeping mats and blankets) and building shelters. We are also running recreational activities and child friendly spaces for children, to provide a sense of safety and normality, as well as life skill sessions for adolescents.

On the occasion of the European Humanitarian Forum 2023, with DG ECHO and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU bringing forgotten crises to the centre of discussions, Plan International shares a series of photographs in Renk taking a snapshot of life for girls who have fled conflict.