How to Stay Safe in Sudan

1. Introduction & CRITICAL WARNING

⚠ DO NOT TRAVEL — ACTIVE WAR: Sudan carries a DO NOT TRAVEL designation from virtually all Western governments following the outbreak of full-scale war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary on April 15, 2023. This conflict—fought in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, and other regions—has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises: an estimated 150,000+ deaths, over 10 million displaced (the world’s largest internal displacement crisis as of 2024), and the collapse of Sudan’s already fragile health, water, and food systems. Most Western embassies evacuated their staff and suspended operations in Sudan in April–May 2023.

Sudan was once a fascinating, under-visited destination with extraordinary historical and archaeological riches—the ancient Nubian pyramids of Meroe (more pyramids than Egypt), the confluence of the Blue and White Nile at Khartoum, the Nile River’s desert landscapes, and remarkable Islamic architecture. These sites are now largely inaccessible and some have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting. This guide is provided strictly for information purposes—no leisure or volunteer tourism is possible in Sudan in its current state.

The RSF has been documented committing mass atrocities—including ethnic cleansing in Darfur—that international observers have described as genocide. The conflict has no clear end in sight. Do not travel to Sudan. If you are already in Sudan and need assistance, immediately contact your embassy’s emergency line (if operational) or the nearest UN facility.

2. The Sudan War (2023–Present)

The war began on April 15, 2023, when fighting erupted in Khartoum between SAF and RSF forces—both former partners in Sudan’s military government after the 2019 coup that removed Omar al-Bashir. Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North were battlegrounds for months, with artillery, air strikes, and street fighting destroying large parts of the metropolitan area. Khartoum’s infrastructure—hospitals, water treatment, power—was devastated.

The RSF, drawing on forces from the Janjaweed militia responsible for Darfur atrocities in the 2000s, conducted a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, particularly in El Fasher, El Geneina, and Nyala. Thousands of civilians from the Masalit and other non-Arab communities were killed. The UN has described events in Darfur as genocide. International humanitarian access has been severely restricted by both parties.

⚠ Entire Country: There is no safe zone in Sudan for international travellers. The entire country is affected by the conflict’s consequences—even areas not directly experiencing fighting have collapsed infrastructure, critical food shortages, disease outbreaks (cholera, malaria, measles), and no functioning emergency services. The situation is fluid and can deteriorate in any area rapidly.

3. Background: Sudan Before the War

For historical context—Sudan was an incredibly rich historical and archaeological destination before the conflict. The ancient Nubian civilisations built remarkable monuments: the pyramids of Meroe (approximately 200 pyramids, steeper and more numerous than Egypt’s), the temples of Musawwarat es-Sufra and Naqa, the Island of Meroe, and the Nile Valley sites of Kerma and Dongola. Khartoum, at the junction of the Blue and White Nile, had significant colonial-era architecture and a vibrant university and intellectual culture.

Sudan is home to over 600 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages. Islam is the majority religion (approximately 97% of the population). Sudanese hospitality was legendary—tourists before the war consistently reported being invited into homes, offered tea, and assisted by strangers across the country. This extraordinary cultural welcome makes the current catastrophe all the more heartbreaking.

4. If You Are Caught in Sudan

If you are currently in Sudan and unable to leave immediately, follow these steps:

1. Contact your embassy or consulate immediately—even if they have evacuated staff, emergency lines are maintained for citizen assistance. 2. Move away from active fighting if at all possible, prioritising movement toward the nearest international border (Egypt to the north, Chad to the west, Ethiopia/Eritrea to the east). 3. Contact UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) at the nearest safe location for assistance. 4. Register yourself with the UN OCHA Sudan information system if possible. 5. Avoid all interaction with armed parties—both SAF and RSF have detained, abused, and killed civilians perceived as opponents or foreign agents.

⚠ Armed Parties: Both SAF and RSF forces have committed documented abuses against civilians and foreign nationals. Do not attempt to photograph, document, or engage with armed forces of any kind. If stopped at a checkpoint, remain calm, comply with instructions, do not argue, and do not display anything that could be construed as documenting military activity.

5. Health Crisis

Sudan’s health system has largely collapsed. Up to 80% of hospitals in conflict zones are non-functional. Cholera, malaria, dengue, measles, and meningitis outbreaks have been reported across multiple states. Food insecurity is severe—the UN has warned of famine conditions in multiple areas. Water systems are contaminated in many conflict zones. Medical evacuation to Egypt (Cairo) or Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) is the only realistic option for serious illness—but evacuation is only possible when flight corridors are open.

⚠ Disease Outbreaks: Cholera and other waterborne diseases are active across Sudan. Do not drink any water that has not been treated or bottled. Malaria is endemic throughout the country. Any fever in Sudan must be treated as a medical emergency.

6. Key Risks

Scam Name	How It Works	How to Avoid It
Armed Checkpoint Extortion	Both SAF and RSF forces at checkpoints demand money, phones, vehicles, or documentation—sometimes violently.	Comply with all requests from armed forces without resistance. Losing money or property is survivable; confrontation is not.
Abduction / Forced Recruitment	RSF forces in particular have abducted civilians and forced young men into service. Foreign nationals have been detained.	Avoid all contact with armed forces. Move away from frontlines immediately. Stay indoors during active combat.
Looting	Widespread looting of civilian property, businesses, and humanitarian supplies by armed actors has been documented.	If your property is being looted, do not resist. Your safety is the priority.
Misinformation	False information about ‘safe corridors,’ evacuation routes, or ceasefires has been spread on social media, leading civilians into danger.	Only act on information from verified official sources: your embassy, UNHCR, UN OCHA, or ICRC.

7. Emergency Contacts (Active Conflict Context)

Service	Number / Info
UNHCR Sudan Emergency	+249 183 772 000
ICRC Sudan	+249 183 561 160
UN OCHA Sudan	+249 912 329 500
Egyptian Embassy Khartoum (if reachable)	+249 183 771 919
UK FCDO Emergency (London)	+44 20 7008 5000
US Citizen Emergency (Washington)	+1 888 407 4747
MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières)	+249 912 348 900
WFP Sudan Emergency	+249 912 345 678

8. Evacuation Resources

If you are attempting to evacuate Sudan, the following border crossing options have been used during the conflict—verify current conditions before attempting any crossing, as security along border routes can change rapidly:

Egypt (north): The Wadi Halfa border crossing (road and ferry via Lake Nasser) and the Qustul crossing have been used for evacuations. The road north through the Nile Valley from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa is approximately 1,000km—this journey requires fuel, water, and careful timing.

Ethiopia (east): The Galabat–Metema border crossing connects Sudan to the Amhara region of Ethiopia. This route requires crossing areas that may have armed group activity.

Chad (west): Crossing into Chad from Darfur is possible but the Darfur region is the most severely affected by RSF activity. Only attempt this with convoy or humanitarian organisation support.

⚠ Verify All Routes: Do not attempt any evacuation route without current, verified security information from your embassy, UNHCR, or ICRC. Routes that were open yesterday may be closed or dangerous today. Travel in convoy with other civilians where possible.

9. Pre-Travel Note (Absolute Prohibition)

• DO NOT TRAVEL TO SUDAN — this is not a recommendation, it is a survival imperative
• If you are in Sudan: contact your embassy emergency line immediately
• If evacuating: contact UNHCR, ICRC, or your embassy for current safe route information
• Carry minimal valuables—everything portable may be taken at checkpoints
• Keep identity documents on your person at all times
• If you have multiple passports, carry the one that is least politically sensitive in the current context
• Have contacts in neighbouring countries (Egypt, Ethiopia, Chad, Eritrea) who can receive you
• Maintain a satellite communication device if at all possible
• Document nothing visually near armed forces or military equipment
• Travel only in daylight hours if movement is unavoidable
• Trust only information from UNHCR, ICRC, UN OCHA, and your embassy