Medical Teams International and Norwegian Church Aid Release Khartoum Needs Assessment Report

(KHARTOUM, Sudan) November 26, 2025 – At a critical juncture in the world’s largest hunger and displacement crisis, Medical Teams International and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) have released the most comprehensive, multi-sectoral needs assessment report on Khartoum since the conflict began in 2023.

Between August and September 2025, the two humanitarian organizations gathered data from 1,250+ households and 70 primary health care facilities across five localities. Drawing on insights from local institutions, frontline health workers, and affected communities, the report highlights the impact of displacement and systemic breakdowns connected to the spread of disease and increasing malnutrition. Essential services remain under-resourced and unevenly distributed, while communities and health workers continue to innovate under immense constraints.

“Our assessments show that 97% of households in the Khartoum region are now facing food shortages, and that daily caloric intake has dropped sharply. The need for humanitarian assistance in Khartoum is urgent. We call on international actors to immediately step up and fund life-saving aid in Sudan,” said Dirk Hanekom, Country Director of Norwegian Church Aid in Sudan.

Across health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection, and food security sectors, the assessment underscores the need for coordinated action, investment in local capacities, and harmonized recovery planning. The results reaffirm a shared commitment to data-driven humanitarian response and locally led recovery strategies that promote gender equity, integrated service delivery, and dignity for affected populations.

“Amid unimaginable hardship, Khartoum’s residents and returnees are fighting to survive and rebuild,” said Birhanu Waka, Country Director of Medical Teams International in Sudan. “This new data is a lifeline – guiding us to sharpen our life-saving health response and work toward restoring the health system

KEY FINDINGS

Health Systems

  • Only 43% of health facilities functional; safe deliveries in 14%.
  • Staffing dropped from 11.2 to 7.8 per facility; 62% unpaid, 38% migrated.
  • Severe shortages: 70% lack antibiotics, 81% no uterotonics, 85% no antimalarials; cold-chain in 15%.
  • Malnutrition increasing: GAM 19.3% (↑ from 7.4%), SAM 4.6% (↑ from 1.9%) 

Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH)

  • 80% access “improved” water, but nearly half unsafe; East Nile relies on shallow wells (88%).
  • Sanitation poor: only 18% improved, open defecation up to 46%.
  • Hygiene gaps: soap absent in 64–71% homes, handwashing with soap only 27%.
  • Waste collection collapsed (68% → 9%); gender-based violence (GBV) risks at water points (41% unsafe after dusk).

Food Security & Livelihoods

  • 97% households food insecure; caloric intake <1,800 kcal in 74%.
  • Income ~$20/month, inflation >500%; coping includes borrowing food (72%) and skipping meals (69%).

Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

  • Formal protection nearly absent; only 7% facilities offer GBV services, rape treatment 18%.
  • Early/forced marriage surged (9% → 24%); survival sex reported by 17%.
  • Vulnerable groups unprotected: 11–14% unaccompanied minors, 6% disabled.

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict zones and natural disasters. Daring to love like Jesus, we care for the whole person and serve all people. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.

About Norwegian Church Aid

Norwegian Church Aid has worked in Sudan for over 50 years. NCA provides emergency assistance and long-term development through local partners in over 30 countries. Learn more on www.nca.no.

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