Policy Seminar | IFPRI Policy Seminar
Informing Crisis Response in Sudan
Co-organized by IFPRI and the CGIAR Science Program on Food Frontiers and Security | Part of the Fragility to Stability Seminar Series
October 22, 2025

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
Alex De Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation, Tufts University
Samantha Chattaraj, ‏Emergency Coordinator, UN World Food Programme (WFP), Sudan
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

Moderator
Hala Abushama, Research Analyst, IFPRI

More about this Event: https://www.ifpri.org/event/informing-crisis-response-in-sudan/

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Informing Crisis Response in Sudan

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. Established in 1975, IFPRI currently has more than 600 employees working in over 50 countries. It is a research center of CGIAR, a worldwide partnership engaged in agricultural research for development.

New tracks tagged #Sudan Social Protection Alliance (SSPA)