Integrating Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Into Rebuilding Sudan

The war in Sudan began with fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. Only weeks into the fighting in Khartoum, homes and essential infrastructure like schools and hospitals were destroyed. By January 2024, at least 7.4.1 million people had been displaced, with more than 6 million internally displaced. Sixty-one per cent of all the displaced (about 3.7 million) are originally from Khartoum. Sudan humanitarian crisis is not new. In March 2022, there were already 3.7 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country. The economy was also in recession, driving food insecurity across the country, compounded by climate shocks.

Prolonged conflicts and crises in Sudan have highlighted the need for comprehensive responses that combine humanitarian, development and peace (HDP) activities, to address immediate needs during emergencies, while also planning for mid to longer-term solutions that can create conditions for peace and encourage social, economic and political development. It is critical that housing, land and property (HLP) issues be understood and addressed in all stages, from the start of an emergency to the recovery and rebuilding.

This white paper is based on a desk review of literature on HLP in Sudan, as well as observations by humanitarian actors currently in Sudan. The paper highlights the importance of considering HLP issues during all phases of crises, whether arising from conflict or natural disasters, the importance of understanding how HLP has been a driver of recurring conflict in Sudan, and to provide recommendations on what actions can be taken to address these issues to support a more equitable and sustainable future.