In 2020, Sudan witnessed a sharp increase in prices of basic commodities that negatively impacted on the overall operational costs for UNHCR and partners affecting the delivery of protection and assistance to people of concern. The Sudanese authorities reformed the subsidies on key commodities (fuel, wheat, etc.) and the devaluation of the Sudanese pound due to hyperinflation further worsened the livelihoods of refugees, IDPs and hosting communities, particularly vulnerable and those with limited sources of income to meet the basic and essential needs. In addition, the Government regulations to transact in local currency also affected the operational delivery, particularly on cash transfer programmes, payment for commercial services and goods in-country, and the operating budgets of national NGOs.
The Government of Sudan implemented prudent prevention measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 and declared State of health Emergency from the onset of pandemic in March 2020. The prevention measures on movement restrictions included inter-state travel, closures of borders and suspension of all national and international travels affected access to territory and asylum for newly arriving asylum-seekers and operational delivery. The registration of new asylum-seekers and pending old cases were suspended for whole year in 2020 due to public health concerns.
The heightened risks of intercommunal clashes persisted in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, from the beginning of the year. Some 200,000 people have been left displaced due to the violence mainly in West, Central, South and North Darfur, resulting in extensive civilian casualties, injuries and property destruction. Ethnic conflicts were on the rise after the exit of peacekeeping troops that were under UNAMID as well as inadequate capacity and resources of local authorities to mitigate the conflicts and to fully enforce the rule of law. This insecurity affected the monitoring of the situation in the refugee camps and refugee-hosting areas, as well as timely delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The Transitional Government in Sudan was formed after the ousting of former President Bashir and signed a peace deal with Darfur rebel groups in August 2020. However, two main rebel factions did not participate in the agreement.