The ongoing war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis marked by widespread violence, displacement, and the collapse of basic services. While figures vary by source, it is widely estimated that the war has resulted in at least 150,000 deaths and over 12.7 million people being displaced. Despite being described as one of the worst humanitarian crises of recent years, Sudan has received comparatively little humanitarian funding, international news coverage, or sustained efforts toward securing a ceasefire and peace agreement. Civilians, particularly women and children, face extreme insecurity, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), food shortages, and restricted access to humanitarian aid and healthcare.
This paper explores how SGBV functions as both a driver and a consequence of cross-border migration for women and girls migrating from Sudan to South Sudan, and considers which prevention and response strategies are needed to support survivors in the border region. This study will inform strategies for the prevention of SGBV during cross-border migration and identify the support needed for SGBV survivors in the Sudan/South Sudan border region.
This article was originally published in the journal Conflict and Health.