ALNAP: Where to Now? Agency Expulsions in Sudan: Consequences and Next Steps

On 4 March, the government of Sudan expelled 13 international NGOs and revoked the licences of three national NGOs. In all, 7,610 aid workers have been directly affected in Northern Sudan (including Darfur), where these agencies accounted for 40% of aid workers, delivering more than half the total amount of aid. NGO services – access to water, health and medical services, food rations – have been jeopardised. Assistance to Darfur 's 2.7 million-plus displaced people has been severely compromised, and a number of health-related crisis are already emerging. In the Three Areas, the repercussions of these expulsions could undermine the gains made in realising the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). In Eastern Sudan , the expulsion of these agencies has deprived the region of critical food, livelihoods and medical assistance.

This joint ALNAP-HPG paper focuses on the recent expulsion of NGOs from Sudan. The paper provides a snapshot of what expelled aid agencies were doing at the time of their departure; where they were based and the type of assistance they were providing. It outlines the immediate implications of the expulsions including issues around contingency plans, remote working capacities and the challenge of scaling up operations to make up for the shortfall in services. The paper then suggests ways forward for the UN system, donors and international NGOs.

You can download the paper from the ALNAP website.