List of abbreviations 4

1. Introduction 5

2. Background to the conflict 7

3. Humanitarian needs in Sudan 8

3.1 Displacement 9

3.1.1 Internally displaced persons 10

3.1.2 Refugees in neighbouring countries 11

3.1.3 Impact on minorities and vulnerable groups 12

4. Humanitarian aid architecture and challenges to humanitarian assistance in Sudan 13

4.1 The humanitarian aid architecture in Sudan 13

4.2 Operational challenges for humanitarian assistance 14

4.3 Coordination challenges 15

4.4 Funding challenges 16

5. EU response 19

5.1 Humanitarian assistance 19

5.2 Development support 20

5.3 Diplomatic action 21

6. Position of the European Parliament 22

7. Conclusions 22