The recent resurgence of armed conflicts in Africa is increasing the need and urgency for investments in shock-responsive humanitarian and social assistance programs. Armed conflicts both increase the need for aid and greatly complicate delivery of humanitarian services to vulnerable populations. In addition, humanitarian organizations are facing an increasing funding gap because of dwindling donor aid.
These challenges are forcing humanitarian organizations to revisit the effectiveness and cost-efficacy of their programs and services for conflict-affected populations. The choice and relative efficacy of alternative modalities and delivery of humanitarian or social assistance programs in these communities remains an active area of debate.
The armed conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, and has left over 30 million of the 47.5 million Sudanese population needing multifaceted humanitarian assistance. To help inform the crisis response, this policy seminar will bring together researchers, practitioners, and humanitarian organizations working in Sudan to share and discuss recent evidence on preferences and impact of alternative modalities to deliver humanitarian aid amid armed conflict.
Introduction and Opening Remarks
- Johan Swinnen, Director General, IFPRI
- Laurent Bukera, Country Director and Representative, UN World Food Programme (WFP), Sudan
Highlights From Recent Findings
- Khalid Siddig, Senior Research Fellow and Leader of the Sudan Program, IFPRI
- Kibrom Abay, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI
- Gabrielle Fox, Chief of Party, Cash Consortium of Sudan (CCS)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Hala Abushama, Research Analyst, IFPRI
- Alex De Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation, Tufts University
- Samantha Chattaraj, Emergency Coordinator, UN World Food Programme (WFP), Sudan
- Ian Byram, Senior Humanitarian Adviser, British Office Sudan, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Lena Mahgoub, Convener of the Sudan Social Protection Alliance (SSPA), Former Federal Minister of Labor and Social Development and Co-Founder of Impact Hub Khartoum
Closing Remarks
- Katrina Kosec, Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI