Short for “crisis coordination unit,” CCU-Sudan is dedicated to urgently helping coordinate aid and relief efforts to the innocent people of Sudan caught up in the ongoing violent conflict between warring parties. The group – founded as part of UK-based Shabaka – is focused on prioritizing the localisation of aid, fostering innovation and staying agile, all while avoiding silos. CCU-Sudan’s work includes building an advisory group, mapping, communication, advocacy and training, all areas critical to improving relief efforts and saving innocent lives.

The crisis is deeper than just the violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world; its populace faces food insecurity and other health challenges; getting aid to the people who need it most is difficult; and the country is vast and dangerous in certain areas, severely limiting relief from the UN, INGOs and other mutual aid groups. Infrastructure and bureaucracy also continue to be challenges, in addition to an overall lack of financial support.

The number of people affected by this crisis is massive with more than 30.4 million people, including 16 million children, urgently needing help. At least 12 million people have had to leave their homes, with more than 8.9 million of those displaced within Sudan and 3 million having fled the country.

CCU-Sudan is focused on bringing together local aid groups, Sudanese people living abroad, and international organisations; making it easier for local groups to get funding; and helping international audiences understand what’s happening on the ground through research and advocacy.

Working with diaspora communities – Sudanese people living abroad – is important because they often work closely with local community groups, understand both local needs and international systems, and they’re already responding to the crisis alongside local groups.

The current international response has been very limited. Local groups, on the other hand, are already on the front line of helping people within their communities. They understand best what their communities need and they can make sure aid reaches the people who need it most.

Mohamed is sending over the concept note so WM team can incorporate the 4-5 objectives

Notes from our recent meeting

• Mohamed: How is CCU different/special?
• We address the gaps from other groups re: info sharing and being an info hub
• Coordination needs to be improved and CCU can help
• We’re not trying to replace other orgs. We’re here to work together.
• Sample: “While there are multiple amazing groups helping the Sudanese people, CCU-Sudan is an independent organization focused specifically on information sharing and coordination, helping fill some of the gaps.
• How are we not duplicating effort or not replacing others or being an alternative?

The Localisation Coordination Council is dedicated to emergency response rooms, and not other mutual aid groups or financial management, while CCU-Sudan is focused on helping coordinate information. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is focused on the current humanitarian crisis, while CCU-Sudan is also working on what happens next, including the rebuilding of infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, etc.

Funding for CCU-Sudan is made possible through philanthropy and foundations that see the importance of this work.

Media: To help support CCU-Sudan, contact our transition manager, Mohamed Ashraf, at mohamed@shabaka.org for more information.

Public website: To help support CCU-Sudan, contact us here for more information.