Press release – Wednesday 12 March 2025
ShelterBox aid is being distributed in Sudan, where over 12 million people have been displaced by an intense civil war over the last two years. The international disaster relief charity is supporting thousands of people with essential items, ahead of a second project delivering emergency shelter and cash support.
More than three million people have fled across its borders, becoming refugees in neighbouring countries like Chad where the humanitarian crisis was already significant. Since 2023, ShelterBox has been working with INTERSOS Tchad and Help Tchad supporting tens of thousands of people with emergency shelter and items like solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has described the situation in Sudan as “the largest” and “fastest growing” displacement crisis globally.
More than eight million people remain displaced within Sudan after long-simmering tensions between Sudan’s military and primary paramilitary force erupted into widespread violence in April 2023. It has uprooted people from each of the country’s 18 states, fleeing to safer locations within Sudan or across its borders. This has been compounded by climate-related disasters and the spread of disease.
Shifting frontlines and intense violence has prevented aid from reaching people who need humanitarian assistance, with some organisations having to suspend activities and the first trucks filled with food and health supplies only arriving in Khartoum in December 2024.
Sudan Programme Manager for ShelterBox, Sarah Robinson says: “Most people in Sudan require humanitarian support, yet the response is critically underfunded and there is not enough aid to support the number of people who need it.”
ShelterBox is working with INTERSOS, HOPE Sudan, Airlink, and Action Medeor, in North Darfur, with ShelterBox’s focus on emergency shelter, household items, and cash assistance.
The first of ShelterBox’s aid is being distributed in Tawila, including essential items like water carriers, mosquito nets, blankets, and kitchen sets.
Sarah adds: “The need for humanitarian aid is significant, with many people displaced more than once and forced to live in inadequate and makeshift shelters.
“The ongoing siege in El Fasher, near Tawila, is driving greater displacement to where we are working, and we are seeing a huge increase in basic needs.
“With distributions of essential household items now complete, we are focussed on how we can provide emergency shelter with our partners in a second project to support the community’s ability to recover and endure this crisis.”
ShelterBox is well-experienced at supporting people displaced by conflict and has led responses in Sudan before. In 2013 and 2020, the charity supported people affected by flooding in the country.
ShelterBox is currently supporting people affected by conflict in Gaza, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso.
For more information about ShelterBox visit shelterbox.org.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Images and captions included
- B-roll available on request
- Interviews available on request with Sarah Robinson, Sudan Programme Manager at ShelterBox
- Case-study account
Zara fled Sudan with her children, travelling for three days to eastern Chad, in search of safety.
“Before the crisis, life was good in Sudan. There was peace, water, and the children’s school lives were good. The children were well fed, and we had everything at our disposal.
“We fled because of the war. We saw our loved ones killed and we fled to take refuge in Chad. They killed many members of our community. They also attacked and killed my close relatives.
They went from house to house to kill people in my community, which caused us to flee for refuge. During the flight (escape), many other people died, and their belongings were taken. We left our belongings to save our lives.
“For me, having shelter is a good thing, but I want to live in peace with my children here in Chad and for there to be peace in Sudan too.”
About ShelterBox
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other essential items to families who have lost their homes to disasters. With operational headquarters in Cornwall, the charity also has 13 affiliate organisations worldwide.
The charity has been Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief since 2012. ShelterBox has supported more than three million people since it was founded in 2000. www.shelterbox.org.
