16th April 2026 - A new project titled Strengthening Life-saving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), has been launched in Sudan. Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the IPPF Member Association Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA), the project will support women and girls in crisis in the Red Sea and Khartoum States.  Fifteen million people in Sudan have been displaced by the civil war, and conflicts in neighbouring countries have triggered an influx of returnees and displaced people into Sudan. As a result, the country now hosts 15% of the world’s IDPs. But widespread destruction of infrastructure and deadly disease outbreaks have left the healthcare system unable to cope.An estimated 1.75 million women and girls require urgent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including 270,000 internally displaced pregnant women. With rape increasingly used as a weapon of war, many require urgent medical and psychosocial support. However, essential SRH commodities, including contraceptives, emergency obstetric kits, and menstrual hygiene products, are in critically low supply.  SFPA provides essential sexual and reproductive health services to women and girls, including internally displaced persons, through 26 static clinics and 11 mobile clinics across the country. This new funding will enable them to procure, transport and distribute essential supplies to two of the organisation’s static clinics in the Red Sea State and Khartoum State. This vital equipment, including microscopes, blood-testing devices, thermometers, and examination lamps, will enable these clinics to continue providing SRH services, expanding their reach to an additional 2,400 internally displaced people and individuals in host communities. Mr. Nakahara Takanobu, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan to Sudan, stated that, “The provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare for women and girls is a critical step in supporting this vulnerable category in Sudan. This is more so when they are IDPs. Thus, we are happy to be able to support IPPF’s Member Association in Sudan - the Sudan Family Planning Association - in this domain, so that we can contribute to improving the safety and well-being of these women and girls, and reassure them that we acknowledge the challenges they face and endure.” Dr Hiba Ahmed Khalil, Emergency and Humanitarian Interventions Manager at SFPA added, “SFPA is honoured to join the Japan Supplementary Budget 2025 project, advancing inclusive health and humanitarian responses that strengthen access to essential services and uphold the rights of communities most at risk. Together, we are building pathways for resilience and equity.”  Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director of the IPPF Arab World Regional Office, added, “Every woman and girl deserves access to safe, reliable healthcare, no matter the circumstances. Thanks to the people of Japan, we can equip clinics with the essential tools and supplies needed to continue providing critical sexual and reproductive healthcare. This investment will directly improve the safety, health, and resilience of thousands of internally displaced women and girls.” ---About the Sudan Family Planning Association  The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to increases in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. As the statistics show, Sudan is a country in great need of frontline sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Advocacy, and undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) programs are critical.About International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Arab World Office  IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952. Today, we are a movement of over 120 autonomous member associations and 23 collaborative partners with a presence in 146 countries. Established in 1971, the IPPF Arab World Region (IPPF AWR) is one of IPPF’s six regional offices. Based in Tunis, it is the leading Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) service delivery organization in North Africa and the Middle East, and the leading Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. 

BackgroundOn 29th January 2025, the Trump Administration issued stop-work orders to its USAID-implementing partners. These resulting funding cuts and ideological attacks on global development and humanitarian assistance had immediate consequences on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). In February and July 2025, IPPF surveyed its Member Associations (MAs) and Collaborative Partners (CPs) to assess the impact of these funding cuts on their work and the clients they serve. By July 2025, $87.2 million in funding had been lost from 2025 through to 2029 due to cancelled contracts[1]. IPPF MAs / CPs in the Africa Region and the Arab World Region have been most affected, with an estimated loss of $26 million and $9.4 million in funding, respectively. Funding losses have forced the closure of nearly 1,400 clinics - 1,175 in Africa alone. In 2025, 9 million people were estimated to have lost access to SRH services including contraception, HIV testing, and care for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) from a range of service delivery channels. MAs and CPs also reported declining stock levels of SRH commodities, especially contraceptive products, since January 2025.These case studies document the human cost of this retreat in funding, drawing on case studies from IPPF MAs / CPs in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Sudan. Global ContextGovernment donors are withdrawing support as right-wing populism and religious fundamentalism rises. This shift is led by the US but mirrored in Europe, where governments are diverting aid budgets toward defence and border control. Trump’s "America First" Strategy has rejected the traditional model of foreign aid. It has replaced it with an investment model that prioritizes US commercial interests and biodefense, signalling a move away from multilateralism and withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).The Mexico City Policy (also known as the Global Gag Rule) was first introduced in 1984, prohibiting funding to any foreign non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides comprehensive information on abortion and pregnancy options or performs abortion, thereby severing support for a vast network of SRH providers. The Trump Administration announced a sweeping expansion of the Mexico City Policy in late January 2026. The expanded policy is no longer limited to global health funding, and instead now weaponizes all non-military U.S. foreign assistance amounting to at least US $30 billion annually. This includes diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, and gender identity rights, recast as threats and condemned as “radical gender ideologies that prey on our children” by Vice-President JD Vance. These latest policies of the Trump Administration further institutionalise fear and paralysis in the global development sector and among the communities IPPF serves. In addition to targeting foreign non-government organisations, the scope has been widened in an attempt to block foreign assistance funding to any U.S. organizations, other governments, parastatals, and multilateral institutions who engage in upholding human rights.  This is yet another attack on national sovereignty through the curtailing of SRHR and LGBTQI+ rights.Historically, the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy has reduced access to contraceptive services and increased abortion rates.[2] Latest measures go beyond historical precedents by:Framing standard contraception as "abortifacients" to broaden prohibited activities.Banning work on gender equality, gender-affirming care and DEI under the guise of preventing "divisive" conceptsFurthermore, the introduction of the America First Global Health Strategy has instigated discussions towards a series of bilateral agreements with a number of African governments. The recent $1.6 billion bilateral agreement with Kenya serves as the blueprint for this new era, imposing strict conditions such as significant co-financing requirements—raising fears of debt distress for partner nations—and mandatory health data sharing, which has already sparked legal challenges regarding patient privacy[3]. We are deeply concerned that this new aid modality will be used as an instrument to pressure governments to restrict sexual and reproductive rights. Compounding the volatility of US withdrawal is the retrenchment of European donors. Nine European donors have cut a combined €30 billion from their development budgets over the next four years[4]. The European Commission has stated it cannot fill the gap left by the US. Against this backdrop of unprecedented funding disruptions and strategic realignment, the experiences of IPPF MAs / CPs provide crucial ground-level evidence of how these macro-level policy shifts translate into real-world consequences for health systems and the people they serve.Explore the case studies in full: Sudan: Bracing for the full impact in the midst of civil warEthiopia: “The biggest challenge in our history”Mozambique: Navigating funding cuts and commodity securityBangladesh – Crisis on crisis for marginalised populations  

The last two years of war between the Sudanese Armed Force and Rapid Support Forces have displaced over 10 million people in Khartoum, the nation’s capital, alongside regions like Darfur and Al Jazirah state. Half of the population is estimated to face acute food insecurity and there have been over 600 attacks on healthcare personnel since April 15 2023, with four attacks on healthcare facilities in January 2025. While recent statistics on maternal and reproductive health have been largely unavailable due to the conflict, maternal mortality in Sudan was among the highest in the world prior to April 2023 and access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare has been impeded by displacement-related loss of healthcare personnel. Access to SRH services has been further impeded by stockouts of essential medicines such as emergency contraception, injectable long-acting contraception, and antibiotics for sexually transmitted infections.Despite widespread underreporting of SGBV due to cultural stigma, there are indications that sexual violence has been weaponized as an act of war. In Al Jazirah state, government officials have reported 890 cases of rape perpetrated by RSF members, resulting in 125 unwanted pregnancies. In some cases, sexual violence has resulted in severe injury and death. Women have reported both suicidal ideation and attempt after experiencing sexual violence. The actual numbers are expected to be much higher than what was recorded. Indeed, most cases and stories have gone untold; women’s rights activists estimate that only 2% of cases are reported in Sudan, and globally only 1% of adolescent girls seek help after experiencing sexual violence.In addition to risks of sexual violence as a weapon of war by armed groups, internally displaced women face sexual exploitation within temporary resettlement and camp sites. School buildings and other facilities have been repurposed to house displaced families and there are often over ten people residing together from multiple families within the same room. In this context, there is no privacy, and these risks to women are compounded within host communities, where women often receive threats as they leave IDP sites to look for work or to purchase needed resources for their families.In this context of amplified risks of SGBV and unmet need for healthcare services, the Sudanese Family Planning Association has worked with partner organizations to provide comprehensive care to SGBV survivors and has utilized social media to raise awareness about SGBV and available services for survivors. SFPA operates a four-pronged approach to addressing SGBV. Through a combination of direct clinical service points, partnerships and coordination with other NGOs, group-based discussions and individual home visits, SRH hotline, and social media strategy, the organization has been connecting survivors to care, providing medical services and referrals, and raising awareness and challenging stigmatization of SGBV.SFPA operates 26 static clinics and has used multiple mechanisms to provide services across the development-humanitarian nexus. Through 39 mobile service delivery team deployments to reach IDP camps, SFPA reached over 20,000 people displaced by conflict in Umrakoba & Tunaydbah between June and November 2024. In addition to directly providing clinical SRH and SGBV services, mobile service delivery teams shared information about SGBV to 4,506 individuals through a combination of 1499 group-level awareness raising sessions in clinic waiting areas and home visits to assess health needs on a more confidential basis. Female youth attending group-based sessions in Umrakoba & Tunaydbah shared that they gained awareness about their rights and referral pathways for violence, and adult women reported that they learned strategies for protecting and listening to their children. At these first points of in-person contact, staff have received a number of SGBV disclosures and referred survivors to clinical services.In addition to clinical services and in-person awareness-raising activities, SFPA has supported comprehensive care through coordination and partnerships with local and international NGOs. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence must navigate a complex legal terrain as abortion is a crime in Sudan, only legally permissible in cases of rape, threats to the pregnant woman’s life, and foetal death within the womb. Women who become pregnant due to rape need police permission to undergo an abortion. In cases of pregnancy due to rape, partner organization Mutawinat obtains permission from police offices to provide abortion and SFPA directly performs the abortion for clients. SFPA also partners with an organization which provides shelter for women who become pregnant to ensure shelter and care through birth, and another organization provides financial support after birth.  SFPA has also expanded access to care through implementation of a call center, or hotline, for SGBV. The call center directly serves survivors through a hotline which connects them to an integrated care team comprised of an obstetrician, family planning providers, and psychosocial support counsellors. By calling a central number – 1700 – survivors can share information about their needs and connect to available services. In 2024, the hotline received a total of 79,900 calls and provided 1,544,297 digital services. SFPA provided 2,331 SGBV services, and 60% of digitally referred SGBV cases were followed up through health service delivery points. As the war intensified and over 50% of healthcare facilities closed in conflict-affected areas, the hotline became a lifeline for accessing health care, and 45.1% (696,186) of digital services were provided for non-SRH issues.These services are complemented by a social media-based SGBV awareness strategy, implemented by youth workers connected to each SFPA branch. Through social media outlets such as TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp, SFPA has reached over 500,000 community members with information on SRHR and SGBV and challenging stigmatization of survivors. Youth workers have created virtual contests and games which have resulted in increasing engagement over time, with 37,000 interactions via Facebook alone.SFPA’s social media strategy has yielded a surprising result: survivors have directly responded to campaigns implemented through outlets to seek resources for support. Social media posts have shared information about SFPA’s hotline and comms staff have provided referrals to clinical services. The organization identified 5,193 clients seeking SRH services through social media outreach, including for SGBV. SFPA’s Dr Limiaa Khalfalla noted the importance of handling such disclosures carefully and ensuring adequate training to protect confidentiality. The call center has been an essential service in responding to these disclosures as a central point of referral where survivors can readily access trained staff. Through IPPF’s STREAM3 funding, SFPA has trained ten employees and eighteen volunteers on topics such as SGBV fundamentals, the LIVES approach, clinical management of rape, and long-acting contraceptive methods. 

For more than 18 months, el-Fasher has been under siege. Families who once fled to this city in North Darfur for safety are now trapped in it. Around 260,000 civilians – including 130,000 children – are trapped with almost no aid. Food prices have soared, water is unsafe, and bombardment is constant. Those who manage to escape towards Tawila face attacks and extortion on the road. For women and girls, every stage of this journey, staying, fleeing, or arriving in displacement sites, comes with overwhelming, life-threatening risks. Across Sudan, the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has driven one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement and hunger crises. Starvation is being used as a tactic of war, with el-Fasher a stark example. The scale of atrocities have drawn the attention of UN genocide prevention experts, and all the while, devastation spreads like wildfire. Within this wider collapse, the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls are being systematically eroded. Gendered violence and SRHR under siegeWomen and girls in el-Fasher describe life under siege as “death by missiles, starvation and daily violations”. Families are surviving on animal feed and leaves. Girls often eat last and least, if at all. Malnutrition is rising sharply among pregnant women, new mothers and young children, heightening risks of maternal death, unsafe childbirth, and child and infant deaths. Conflict-related sexual violence has surged. Reports from el-Fasher and surrounding areas point to horrific crimes of abduction for ransom, sexual assault, and captivity as civilians attempt to move in or out of the city. Young people are particularly exposed, both during flight and in overcrowded camps where lighting, privacy and safe WASH facilities are scarce. Access to post-rape care – including emergency contraception, HIV prophylaxis, safe abortion, and psychosocial support – is extremely limited. The health system that should protect women’s lives has itself become a target. In October, armed men attacked Saudi Maternity Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital left in el-Fasher at the time. More than 460 patients and their companions were reportedly killed, and six health workers abducted, in what the World Health Organization has condemned as a flagrant attack on health care. Many of those killed and injured were women in labour and newborns. This is not an isolated incident. Clinics have been looted or destroyed, staff have fled or been killed, and basic supplies, from blood bags to oxytocin, have run out. The result is that women are giving birth at home, on the road, or in makeshift shelters without skilled care. Complications that should be easily managed are becoming fatal. At the same time, contraceptive stocks are depleted, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies in a context of extreme violence and hunger. UN Women, UNFPA, WHO and others have documented how these patterns are not accidental but part of a broader assault on women’s rights and bodily autonomy in Sudan. Together they amount to a major rollback of SRHR gains achieved over decades, and a direct attack on the core of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The WPS agenda recognises that women are disproportionately affected by conflict and must be given space to actively participate, be heard and represented in all peace and security processes. You can read more in UN Women’s explainer on the WPS agenda and in our factsheet on why SRHR must be part of WPS. Women are being targeted – and often the first to respondWhile formal systems collapse, Sudanese women’s organisations and health workers are holding the line. Local groups in conflict-ridden contexts have set up communal kitchens, organised food sharing, and identified malnourished children and pregnant women most in need of support. They provide information on contraception, support survivors of violence, and coordinate safe spaces in displacement camps. These are not external actors parachuting in; they are women from affected communities, doing protection and relief work often without pay or protection. Sexual and reproductive health services are still being provided in some areas by midwives, nurses and doctors working with Sudanese organisations, UN agencies and international NGOs. UNFPA and partners have supported emergency obstetric and newborn care in sites like Tawila, where many of those fleeing el-Fasher arrive. But insecurity and funding gaps mean these services reach only a fraction of those who need them. The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA), member association of IPPF in Sudan, has been at the forefront of this work. End of October, SFPA reported that one staff member has been detained and nine others remain missing after targeted attacks in el-Fasher; several of its clinics have been destroyed. SFPA had helped to improve Saudi Maternity Hospital’s capacities prior to the October massacre. Despite the loss of colleagues, facilities and equipment, SFPA and IPPF continue to provide SRHR services where they can – often through mobile teams and community networks – and to call for protection of health workers and facilities.  This is the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in practice: women not only experiencing the worst impacts of conflict, but also at the front of humanitarian response, sustaining communities and demanding accountability. Yet they remain largely excluded from formal decision-making on ceasefires, humanitarian access and the future of Sudan. What Europe and the wider international community must doThe situation in el-Fasher is not only a humanitarian emergency; it is a test of whether governments will uphold their commitments on SRHR, international humanitarian law, and the WPS agenda during political strife. We are calling for urgent, concrete steps: Put SRHR at the centre of the humanitarian response. The EU and European governments should increase flexible humanitarian funding for Sudan, explicitly earmarking support for SRHR: emergency obstetric and newborn care, contraception, safe abortion care, and comprehensive clinical and psychosocial services for survivors of sexual violence. Funding must reach frontline providers – including SFPA, women-led organisations and community health workers.Protect women, girls and health workers. All parties to the conflict must immediately cease attacks on civilians, health facilities and humanitarian workers, in line with international humanitarian and human rights law. European governments should press for international investigations into attacks such as the Saudi Maternity Hospital massacre, and support mechanisms to document, prosecute and sanction those responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and attacks on health care. Open safe, monitored humanitarian corridors. The EU and Member States should use diplomatic and political leverage – including within the UN Security Council and regional forums – to secure a sustained ceasefire around el-Fasher and other besieged areas, and guarantee safe, unimpeded humanitarian access by land. Any “humanitarian corridor” must be genuinely safe, including for women, girls and other at-risk groups, and monitored by neutral actors.Back women’s leadership and participation. Women’s rights organisations, including those working on SRHR, must be funded and recognised as essential humanitarian and peacebuilding actors, not as add-ons. European support should enable Sudanese women peacebuilders, health workers and activists to participate meaningfully in ceasefire talks, political negotiations and reconstruction planning, in line with the WPS agenda.Sustain long-term SRHR and gender equality funding. Beyond immediate relief, the EU and European governments should protect and expand development and SRHR funding for Sudan and the region, avoiding cuts or reallocation that would further weaken fragile health systems. Investments should support comprehensive SRHR services, maternal and newborn health, adolescent girls’ health and education, and community-based work to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, including harmful practices such as FGM. The war in Sudan, the siege of el-Fasher in particular, is exposing just how quickly women’s and girls’ rights can be dismantled when conflict, impunity and neglect converge. It is also showing, once again, that women are central to any meaningful response. In this devastating situation, we are calling on European countries and the European Union to take urgent action to uphold the rights, health, and dignity of Sudanese people. This article was originally published on countdown2030Europe. 

El Fasher, North DarfurThe International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) are deeply alarmed and saddened by targeted attacks in El Fasher, Sudan, where Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have caused devastating harm to civilians, humanitarian workers, and SFPA staff.SFPA, a Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), reports that one staff member has been detained and nine others remain missing. One staff member previously reported missing has reached relative safety after walking for two days to Tawila. She is now receiving medical care for exhaustion and dehydration. The whereabouts of the remaining staff are still unknown, as communications and movement in El Fasher remain severely restricted.“The silence is unbearable. Our colleagues are missing, clinics have been destroyed, and women are giving birth with no one to help them. The world cannot stay quiet while lives are being systematically erased.” said Elshafie Mohamed Ali, Executive Director of SFPA.SFPA and IPPF strongly condemn the ongoing attacks on healthcare, including the assault on the Saudi Maternity Hospital, which SFPA had rehabilitated to provide essential maternal, newborn and reproductive health care. During the hospital attack, which killed more than 460 patients and their companions and led to the abduction of health workers, one SFPA staff member was present inside the facility but managed to escape.“They are bombing the very places where life begins. Maternity wards have become killing grounds. Women are giving birth under fire, midwives are disappearing, and health workers are being attacked for saving lives. We cannot continue to let this go on.” said Dr. Hiba Ahmed Khalil Badr, Director of Emergency and Humanitarian Interventions, SFPA.More than 260,000 people remain trapped in El Fasher with almost no access to food, clean water or medical care. Pregnant women and survivors of sexual and reproductive violence face life-threatening barriers to care.“What is happening in El Fasher is a brutal assault on women, health workers, and the very essence of life itself. Our colleagues are risking everything to keep women and newborns alive, while hospitals are being turned into battlefields. This cannot be normalized. The Arab world and the international community must act now, not only with words of sympathy, but with decisive measures to protect civilians, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure that the right to health and safety is never again treated as a casualty of war,” said Dr. Fadoua Bakhadda, Regional Director, IPPF Arab World Region.These attacks mark a dangerous escalation in violence against humanitarian and health facilities. They threaten not only those providing care but also the continuity of life-saving sexual and reproductive health services, including safe delivery, contraception, and emergency obstetric and newborn care. The deliberate targeting of health workers and maternity facilities is a violation of international humanitarian law and an assault on the right to health and dignity.“This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a relentless pattern of attacks on women, on health workers, and on the right to care,” said Valerie Dourdin, Global Humanitarian Director, IPPF. “How much longer can we watch hospitals burn and call it outrage without action? The international community must act now to protect health workers, civilians, and defend the right to reproductive healthcare.”We urgently call for:• Immediate protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel in El Fasher.• Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas.• The release of detained and missing staff, and clarification on their situation.• International action to halt these attacks and uphold international humanitarian and human rights law.---About SFPAThe Sudan Family Planning- Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to rising maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity.As a Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), SFPA has provided sexual and reproductive health services to millions of people affected by crisis across Sudan, including maternal healthcare, contraception, and essential care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Despite the direct targeting of their own infrastructure, including the destruction of nine SFPA clinics and the tragic loss of healthcare workers, SFPA has continued to deliver life-saving SRH services. In 2024 alone, they reached 13.2 million people, including 10.1 million in humanitarian settings, across 14 states through a network of static clinics, mobile teams, community distributors and digital platforms.---About the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in more than 140 countries.Building on a proud history of over 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions SRHR for all, especially the under-served.We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect and dignity, no matter what.

Can you describe the devastating consequence of deliberate attacks on health facilities and personnel in Sudan amidst the ongoing war? As you may know, Sudan has been experiencing a prolonged war since April 2023. The conflict involves Sudanese forces, allied and support troops from South Sudan, as well as foreign fighters from various neighboring countries, making it a multilayered war. The Sudanese population is suffering. Civilians are deliberately being targeted. The number of displaced people has reached 12 million in total. 3.8 million are refugees and 8.7 million are internally displaced persons (IDPs). 80% of health facilities have been destroyed or damaged. A large number of health workers have been attacked through shelling, drone strikes, and shootings, while others have been detained and arrested by soldiers. Members of our medical staff and our drivers are currently in detention. Many of our health workers and frontliners have lost family members. They shared how traumatizing this situation is for them, leaving them with significant psychological distress. In addition, they have been facing the looting of their properties. The situation is extremely critical for frontliners. Despite this, we are still committed to delivering essential services to women and girls, in particular sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Because of the war, the gap in health services, especially SRHR, is growing dramatically. Our work is life-saving. How does the conflict affect your ability to deliver life-saving SRH services?One of the heroes leading our branch at Khartoum State, Ahlam, exemplifies the resilience and determination of human spirits in the face of immense challenges. Despite the destruction of the Sudan Family Planning Office in Khartoum State, including looting a static clinic, she remained ready to her commitment to provide care. Her personal health struggles as a diabetic, combined with the psychological toll of supporting survivors of sexual violence, made her mission even more demanding. The lack of transportation, medical supplies, and health care personnel further compounds the difficulty of navigating a war-torn city. Yet Ahlam found ways to persist and make a difference. She successfully restored the health center in the Muturman area in an area called Qarari, transforming it into a vital life line for pregnant women, including those in labor, as well as survivors of gender-based violence, and patients with HIV, STIs, and malnutrition. She fostered partnerships with national and international organizations, securing essential support for displaced individuals and for those being warned. Despite overwhelming obstacles, Ahlam and her team continue to provide critical SRH services.

15th April 2025, River Nile State, Sudan - In a groundbreaking step for healthcare access in Sudan, the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) has launched the country’s first mobile telemedicine clinic in River Nile State. Funded by IPPF and FCDO, this innovation brings specialist remote care to people in isolated and conflict-affected areas, reducing the need for physical travel to health facilities. The mobile telemedicine clinic trucks are equipped with high-speed Starlink satellite internet and can travel to remote and rural locations. Clients receive essential treatment on-site and can connect directly, through secure video calls, with medical specialists across Sudan and internationally, including consultants based in Europe. This initiative is part of SFPA’s broader telemedicine project, designed to ensure the continued delivery of sexual and reproductive health services to the most vulnerable populations, particularly in areas where healthcare systems have collapsed due to conflict. Ms Kawthar, Executive Director of the SFPA branch in River Nile State, noted that the launch of the mobile telemedicine clinic, in Quoz Al-Halq, marks the beginning of a new era in healthcare service delivery within the state. “This project represents a landmark moment in Sudan’s healthcare history. We face enormous challenges in reaching people affected by conflict and displacement with essential health services. But this clinic changes what’s possible. We can now deliver integrated healthcare solutions through smart technologies – we’re breaking down barriers to health.” This innovation comes as Sudan approaches the third year of a brutal conflict, which began on 15 April 2023. Over 12.5 million people have been forcibly displaced[i], and more than two-thirds of the population are in need of humanitarian aid[ii]. Rates of sexually transmitted infections and gender-based violence, including sexual violence, have risen sharply[iii]. Many clinics and hospitals have been destroyed or abandoned. There is a severe shortage of qualified medical personnel, many of whom have fled the country. Access to care has disappeared entirely in some areas.  SFPA facilities and staff have also been directly affected by the conflict, with nine of its clinics attacked, resulting in the tragic loss of volunteers and healthcare workers. Amid these challenges, SFPA managed to reach 9.8 million humanitarian clients in 2024.  The new mobile telemedicine clinic offers a leap forward in how care can be delivered. It will provide: In-person and digital health consultations Psychosocial support for survivors of gender-based violence Awareness campaigns on reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections Fully integrated digital referral system, linking primary care with specialised medical facilities. Dr Siham Gaber, Director of Digital Health Interventions and Services at SFPA, said the initiative reflects the Association’s vision to harness technology for sustainable healthcare delivery in crisis contexts. “The mobile telemedicine clinic is a significant step forward in improving access to reproductive health services. It enables remote medical consultations and connects patients with doctors and specialists without the need for long-distance travel.  This is especially important for women, youth and displaced people, who often face serious risks just to access a health facility. Now, they can get the right care where they are - safely and with dignity.” Mr El-Shafie Mohamed Ali, Executive Director of SFPA, added: “This clinic is not just a mobile health unit. It represents a comprehensive model for integrating telemedicine solutions into the provision of healthcare services. It contributes to expanding coverage and narrowing the health gap caused by conflict and insecurity.” The first phase of the project will see mobile telemedicine clinics deployed in five key states: River Nile, Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref and Blue Nile. A second expansion phase will begin in May and aims to extend coverage across all 15 states where SFPA operates. This will ensure broader access to services for those most in need. “We remain dedicated to innovation and the scaling of digital solutions to ensure every Sudanese citizen, regardless of their location or circumstance, has access to quality healthcare,” said Mr El-Shafie Mohamed Ali. For more information and to speak to SFPA staff in Sudan, please email [email protected]   ------- About the Sudan Family Planning Association  The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to increases in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. As the statistics show, Sudan is a country in great need of frontline sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Advocacy, and undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) programs are critical. In 2024, SFPA provided 43.4 million services to 12.6 million clients (9.8 million of which were humanitarian clients) through 26 static clinics, 39 mobile clinics, 1499 community-based distributors, private physicians and associated clinics. About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.  [i] https://www.unrefugees.org/news/sudan-crisis-explained/ [ii] https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1220 [iii] https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2024/09/sudan-humanitarian-crisis-has-catastrophic-impact-for-women-and-girls-with-two-fold-increase-of-gender-based-violence   

El Fasher, Sudan: The Abu Shouk Centre, affiliated with the North Darfur State Branch of the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was directly targeted by the Rapid Support Forces militia on the morning of 28 December 2024. The centre was providing humanitarian services at the time of the attack. This tragic incident resulted in the death of a 17-year-old client and injuries to three others, with varying degrees of severity. The centre’s buildings sustained partial destruction, significantly reducing its ability to deliver essential healthcare and humanitarian services to the local community. This latest attack adds to a series of devastating assaults on our clinics in Sudan. In September 2023, facilities in Khartoum and El Fasher, along with several health centres run by SFPA, were destroyed. On 2 July 2024, another horrendous attack targeted one of our healthcare clinics in Khartoum, further compromising our ability to deliver life-saving services to those in need. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic level and is now the world’s largest humanitarian emergency. After nearly 20 months of war, over 12 million people have been displaced from their homes. The country’s healthcare system has collapsed, with an estimated 70–80% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas no longer functioning. Women and girls are experiencing a sharp increase in sexual and conflict-related violence and our staff have witnessed the devastating impact of these crimes on women, girls, and other marginalised groups. SFPA is actively supporting its North Darfur State branch in responding to this urgent situation. We remain committed to the safety and security of our staff and beneficiaries and to continuing the provision of vital family planning and healthcare services to communities in this critically insecure region. Fadoua Bakhadda, Arab World Regional Director for IPPF said, "IPPF AWRO condemns the attack on the Abu Shouk Centre as a heartbreaking reminder of the escalating violence against healthcare providers in Sudan. This assault targets the basic rights of women, girls, and communities relying on life-saving services. We stand in solidarity with SFPA and call on all parties to respect the neutrality of healthcare facilities and prioritize civilian safety and dignity."   About the Sudan Family Planning Association The Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) was established in 1965 by pioneers in obstetrics and gynaecology in response to increases in maternal, neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity. As the statistics show, Sudan is a country in great need of frontline sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Advocacy, and undertaking information, education and communication (IEC) programs are critical. In 2023, SFPA provided 38 million services through 25 clinics, 272 associated clinics, 39 mobile clinics, 1494 CBD/CBS, and digital/Virtual channels. Since the start of the crisis on 15 April 2023, the association teams were successful in providing 8 million services through 25 SDPs and 10 million services through non damaged associated and mobile clinics. SFPA was able to assist 1,183 deliveries under bombardment and provided 170 943 treatments of HIV in its static clinics.   About the International Planned Parenthood Federation The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. We are a movement of 150 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 146 countries. Building on a proud history of 70 years of achievement, we commit to lead a locally owned, globally connected civil society movement that provides and enables services and champions sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, especially the under-served. We advocate for a world where people are provided with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and bodies. We stand up and fight for sexual and reproductive rights, and against those who seek to deny people their human right to bodily autonomy and freedom. We deliver care that is rooted in rights, respect, and dignity - no matter what.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has launched the CAD48 million "EmpowHER" project in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. The initiative aims to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for marginalised women, girls, and underserved communities across at least 11 countries. EmpowHER will enhance access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care, deliver comprehensive sexuality education, and combat growing threats to SRHR through policy reform and advocacy. This partnership aligns with Canada’s commitment to gender equality and empowering young people to make informed choices about their well-being. Ensuring Inclusive SRHR Delivery for Women, Girls and Marginalise Communities (EmpowHER), is a large-scale initiative that will strengthen access to SRHR for the most marginalised and underserved groups, particularly women and girls. It will support millions of women, girls, and vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mauritania, Sudan, Zambia, Uganda, Togo, Colombia, Ecuador and Pakistan. Through an intersectional, human rights-based feminist approach, EmpowHER will increase access to much needed rights-based SRH care, including access to person-centred safe and legal abortion care. It will deliver critical comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) to empower young people to act on their sexual and reproductive rights (SRR) by expanding their access to quality, rights-based, and gender-sensitive CSE. Furthermore, this initiative will also counteract the growing threats to women’s and girls' sexual and reproductive health rights, by providing urgent support to improve policies and strengthen the capacity of movements and coalitions. Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, Director-General of IPPF, emphasised the critical need to protect and expand access to SRHR. “This new project will continue our mission of empowering women and girls, particularly in Sub Saharan Africa, to make informed decisions about their bodies. We will not only increase access to much needed SRHR services including safe and legal abortion but will also deliver CSE to young people and tackle the rollback of SRHR rights.” “We’re grateful to the Canadian Government for their support and continued partnership.” The funding, unveiled during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is part of Canada’s 10-Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights and aligns with its Feminist International Assistance Policy. Canada is committed to securing a more gender-equal world in which young people are empowered to exercise their rights and make free and informed decisions about their sexuality and well-being. "By supporting the EmpowHER initiative, Canada is taking another step towards achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, in all their diversity, worldwide. This project will not only improve access to vital sexual and reproductive health services, but also ensure that the most marginalized communities can exercise their rights and make informed choices about their health and future. Together, we will strengthen partnerships that champion these rights and protect the progress we've made", said the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, Canada.

In light of the ongoing conflict in Sudan since April 15, 2023, the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) has re-launched its electronic platform to provide essential rights-based reproductive health services. Current technical challenges in Sudan, caused by the ongoing conflict, has disrupted many essential services, including access to family planning and reproductive health care. The e-platform is being relaunched to ensure that we can continue providing rights-based, essential services to those in need, particularly women and youth, even during these difficult times. Since the platform’s inception, it has already reached over one thousand clients, many of whom are in rural or conflict-affected areas. It has also provided psychological support and legal advice to women suffering from abuse in conflict areas, which demonstrates the platform’s vital role. This initiative, supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and state ministries, aims to strengthen the affected health system and improve access to vital services during this challenging period. Key services available through the phone number 1700 include: Comprehensive reproductive health consultations. Response to gender-based violence (GBV) with psychological and legal support. Secure and confidential remote consultations via video calls. The project aims to: Enhance access to reproductive health services, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Support vulnerable groups such as women and youth with comprehensive health consultations. Strengthen the national health system in partnership with the Ministry of Health and international partners. Elshafie Muhammed Ali, Executive Director, Sudan Family Planning Association, said:  "We hope this initiative will contribute to alleviating the impact of the crisis and improving the quality of life for the Sudanese population. The lack of reaction from the UN and the international community is heartbreaking. So much is left for the Sudanese people to deal with. SFPA and IPPF stand by the women and girls of Sudan, even if the world looks away." The total number of people who fled their homes since mid-April 2023 is 10.3 million - or every fifth person in the country - making this the largest displacement crisis in the world. This includes about 8 million people displaced within Sudan and another 2.3 million who crossed into neighbouring countries. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), estimates that 6.7 million Sudanese people, mostly women, are at risk of gender-based violence (GBV).