Supporting conflict-sensitive, locally-led humanitarianism in Sudan: rebalancing donors' approach to risk

Locally-led mutual aid has been a critical lifeline for many people caught up in Sudan's current conflict. Yet, global humanitarian commitments to empower and support local actors are not being met. Furthermore, remote international organisations risk being insensitive to conflict dynamics and undermining local support systems. Drawing on qualitative research conducted between June 2023 and February 2024 on food and cash transfers in Sudan, this paper finds that diverse grassroots organisations have proved their worth in appalling circumstances, while international support for them remains at a small scale. It argues that localisation and conflict sensitivity agendas can be mutually supportive. Long-term partnership with, and core funding for, carefully selected local actors can deepen contextual understanding and empower those best placed to manage conflict over the longer term. This requires that donors review their approach to risk management and consider the potential harms of continuing to centralise control over interventions, as well as the opportunities lost in doing so.