This baseline study aimed to provide insights on the key trends, operational context and gaps and opportunities relative to the main sectors of intervention of the project, namely: health, nutrition, WASH, agriculture and protection in the states of Khartoum, Gezira, South- Kordofan, North- Darfur and Central- Darfur.

In the areas of health, the findings of this baseline study suggest that there is an urgent need for interventions in the areas of health systems and clinical support, communicable diseases, reproductive health and community health. It is clear in all areas that the health system is under increased pressure to cope with the challenges posed by the conflict alongside the surge in demand for health services.

Relative to nutrition, the findings of the assessment suggest that communities require support in addressing issues related to the management of acute malnutrition and maternal infant and young child nutrition in emergencies.

In Khartoum, the current conflict has had a direct impact on the water supply infrastructure, with the destruction of water treatment plants and water pumping stations. This has resulted in frequent outages in Khartoum, as well as the use of water from unsafe sources. In Gezira state, although information could not be provided relative to the indicators, there is evidence of interventions in the areas of WASH being undertaken by UNICEF.

In terms of protection services, the current security situation is hindering the availability of life-saving aid and services, placing the lives of millions of individuals, including children, at risk and necessitating the implementation of protection services. In Khartoum, there is very limited information relative to the sector due to access challenges. In Gezira, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reinforced its operational and protection operations in Wad Madani, which serves as the initial point of entry for IDP’s and refugees including children seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict in the Khartoum region.

Lastly, as it pertains to agriculture, the findings suggest that there are some farmers who have been trained on agricultural best practices in South- Kordofan but that there is scope for additional training as well as an increase in the distribution of seeds as well as efforts to increase accessibility thereof. In Khartoum, as the city remains largely inaccessible, with minimal to no activity and the rise of food prices, fuel, inflation, and the delay of employees receiving wages, it is expected that the majority of households are currently suffering from an inability to obtain both food and NFIs. In the case of Gezira state, farmers expressed their concern that the agricultural season may not perform as expected due to an increased reliance on bank credits, which can have a greater impact on the overall cultivation of the sector, a lack of access to finance, high prices, and a delay in the availability of agricultural inputs and labour, as well as the rise of fuel prices.