The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) announced the launch of a new Power BI platform designed to make Sudan’s urban household data publicly accessible.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), marks a significant step in enhancing data-driven decision-making for policymakers, researchers, and development organisations.
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The platform offers interactive access to the 2024 Sudan National Urban Household Survey, which provides comprehensive insights into the socioeconomic impact of the ongoing conflict on urban households. Users can generate customised graphs and tables to analyse key indicators, making the data more actionable and transparent.
Key findings from the 2024 Sudan urban household survey
The survey reveals substantial demographic shifts, with 31 percent of households relocating to different states due to conflict-related disruptions. This displacement has worsened challenges in securing housing, healthcare, and employment. Employment patterns have been particularly affected, with full-time wage earners dropping significantly while unemployment has surged from 1.6 percent to 18 percent. Many individuals have been forced into unstable self-employment, contributing to economic insecurity.
Essential services have also deteriorated, with over 50 percent of respondents reporting declining access to water, electricity, and healthcare. Households are facing increased out-of-pocket expenses for medical needs, further straining financial stability. Additionally, education has been severely impacted, with 70 percent of households reporting that school-aged children are no longer attending school due to closures and financial constraints, threatening the long-term human capital development in Sudan.
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Future expansion and the need for coordinated action
IFPRI has announced plans to expand the Power BI platform to include data on rural households, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and farmers. This broader dataset will provide a more comprehensive understanding of Sudan’s evolving economic and social landscape.
The survey underscores the urgent need for integrated interventions to restore basic services, strengthen social protection systems, and expand access to formal aid. Addressing these vulnerabilities requires a collaborative approach between the government, international organisations, and civil society. Key priorities should include infrastructure rehabilitation, innovative education solutions, and tackling insecurity to create a stable environment for recovery and growth.
By enhancing data accessibility and providing valuable insights, IFPRI’s Power BI platform is set to play a crucial role in informing policies that support Sudan’s recovery and long-term resilience.