Case Study — People Risk 2023
Crisis24 Delivers Critical Event Response Assistance Amidst Deteriorating Conditions in Sudan
One Global Team Ensuring Personal Safety
"I wanted to write to you personally to express my gratitude to Crisis24 for your support in helping us manage the recent escalation of violence in Sudan and for supporting our efforts to keep our colleagues in Khartoum safe.
We especially want to thank you for providing safe movement through Khartoum for my colleagues via your local provider. Your support in relocating and transporting our team kept them safe in a rapidly changing environment and ultimately enabled their evacuation from Sudan."
-Client Security Manager
Situational Analysis
Factions within Sudan have been at war for control of the country since a coup overthrew the Head of State in 2019. On April 15, 2023, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a coup attempt after heightened tensions with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Clashes, including gunfire and explosions, broke out across the capital city of Khartoum, Khartoum North, and Merowe before spreading across Sudan into Ad-Damazin, El Fasher, El Geneina, El Obeid, Meroe, Nyala, and Port Sudan the following day. As the situation quickly escalated, it was clear that the operating environment was no longer safe for many organizations with personnel in-country.
The majority of hospitals are not functioning and are running short of medical supplies and staff. People have been forced to remain mainly in their homes, using the ceasefires to stock up on essential supplies like water, food, and medicine if available. Soaring food and fuel prices are exacerbating problems.
Crisis24 in Action
Actionable Risk Intelligence
At the onset of the escalating violence, Crisis24’s intelligence analysts provided risk intelligence on the operating environment, raising the incident severity as the situation worsened. These intelligence alerts were used by several clients and insurance partners to make swift decisions about personnel working in and around Khartoum.
Critical Event Response - Crisis Consulting and Incident Response Team Activation
As the fighting escalated and airports, bridges, and roads in and around Khartoum were closed, an incident response team was stood up to support clients in the region. Crisis24 crisis and security consultants proactively reached out to clients to warn them of the changes in the operating environment and recommended all individuals shelter in place. A daily sitrep was provided to client points of contacts, as well as daily briefings.
Functioning out of Crisis24’s Global Security Operations Centers, the incident response team consisted of regional analysts, specialized category analysts, in-country assets, security consultants, and response operations experts. This integrated team provided a 360-degree view of the operating environment, the unique risk profile of each of the clients in Sudan, and worked seamlessly to share OSINT, SOCINCT, HSINT, and AISINT across the working group.
Response Operations and Relocation Assistance
At the height of the violence, Crisis24’s Global Operations Center received requests for assistance from clients. The incident response team immediately initiated life-safety check-in protocols using Crisis24’s mass notification technology, sourced safe houses and identified in-country relocation and out-of-country evacuation options for expats and local nationals. Utilizing all available intelligence, the team developed ground transportation routes and cross-border air and water transportation routes. Additionally, Crisis24’s crisis response team was able to deliver essential supplies, such as fuel, food, medication, and personal hygiene items, as these items became increasingly scarce.
With the border to Chad closed, airports closed, and deteriorating road infrastructure, the only way out of Sudan was by way of Port Sudan. When safe transport was possible, Crisis24 aided the movement of individuals to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This effort required Crisis24’s crisis response team to coordinate clearance for individuals to enter through Saudi Arabia, including visas, ground transportation once in Jeddah, and medical services on arrival. Once individuals were medically cleared for additional travel, Crisis24 assisted clients in coordinating logistic support that allowed them to self-evacuate to Germany, Djibouti, France, and other home-country destinations.
Results
Using Crisis24’s best-in-class crisis management protocols, the team successfully developed an action plan with the clients' best interests in mind. Crisis24 supported 15 different organizations directly and via insurance partnerships, aided in the evacuation of 58 foreign nationals, including the repatriation of 10 persons, and relocated 75 people within Sudan. Crisis24’s Global Security Operations Centers allow 24/7 collaboration amongst risk intelligence and response teams, providing a seamless experience for clients.
