Grassroots mutual aid networks in Sudan have emerged as a vital lifeline for communities suffering from economic collapse and the civil war that erupted in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing the displacement of more than 12.5 million people. Local activists have stepped in to address community needs and foster solidarity as traditional aid systems come to a standstill, demonstrating the power of collective action amid widespread violence and the breakdown of state institutions.
Sudan’s Crisis and the Rise of Mutual Aid
Sudan has endured one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises for more than a year now. Currently, 25 million people are facing food insecurity and more than 600,000 individuals are experiencing extreme levels of hunger. The civil war is fuelling this issue by severely disrupting the distribution of international aid – SAF-controlled ports impose unpredictable delays, and even when aid enters the country, RSF and allied militias frequently hijack and loot shipments, preventing it from reaching those in need.
The emergence of decentralized, volunteer-led mutual aid networks in Sudan – Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) – builds upon a long history of mutual aid in Sudan, including the Sudanese tradition of social solidarity or nafeer. This grassroots initiative unites citizens in addressing local needs and plays a critical role in offsetting limited international support and awareness. As of February 2024, ERRs have reached more than 4 million civilians and received a nomination for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize by the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
Mutual Aid in Action: Emergency Response Rooms
Each ERR is unique in how it adapts to the specific needs of the communities it serves on the ground. Nevertheless, all ERRs deliver essential aid – distributing food and water through community kitchens, providing medical care and pharmaceutical supplies in neighbourhood clinics, coordinating evacuations, sheltering displaced families and maintaining electricity access by providing logistical support to workers.
Specialized response rooms play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable groups. Women’s Response Rooms (WRRs) offer essential supplies such as sanitary products and prenatal vitamins, alongside communal day-care services. They also provide first aid and psychological care, with trained mental health professionals assisting survivors of sexual violence – a widespread issue among armed groups, particularly the RSF.
In Sudan, 17 million children are out of school due to ongoing conflict. WRRs address this by creating child-friendly spaces for learning and play. These spaces support both formal education, with funded teachers delivering the national curriculum, and informal activities like art. Additionally, mental health programs help children process trauma and equip them with vital coping skills for healthy development.
The Impact of the U.S. Aid Freeze
On 20 January 2025, the Trump administration paused all foreign aid for 90 days to conduct a program-by-program review, assessing which initiatives should continue to receive funding. This halt in U.S. humanitarian assistance is having devastating consequences for mutual aid networks in Sudan. ERRs in the country rely on financial support from the Sudanese diaspora and international aid organizations, according to The New Humanitarian. However, they are particularly dependent on U.S. governmental aid, which accounted for 43.7% of the $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding to Sudan in 2024. As a result of these cuts, ERRs are now facing an 80% reduction in resources.
Hind Al Tayef, representing an ERR in Khartoum’s East Nile District, reports that nearly all 300 community kitchens in the area have shut down due to a shortage of funds necessary to operate water pumps. Similarly, Hannen, a volunteer in southern Khartoum, states that 111 kitchens have closed down in the neighbourhood due to a lack of food supplies, worsening the spread of famine, The New Humanitarian reports. In response, volunteers are launching online crowdfunding campaigns, seeking new institutional donors and exploring sustainable solutions such as agricultural projects to reduce dependence on donor-funded community kitchens.
The Future
The resilience of mutual aid networks in Sudan amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis should not be seen as a replacement for the fundamental responsibility of the Sudanese government, international actors and aid organizations to protect civilians affected by armed conflict. However, it challenges traditional aid models by demonstrating the powerful potential of community-led solutions, local knowledge and personal relationships to drive meaningful change.
– Charlotte Codd
Charlotte is based in Waterford, Ireland and focuses on Good News and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
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