6 November 2025
We have written to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly regarding the escalating crisis in Sudan. While the announcement of an additional $10 million of humanitarian assistance for Sudan is welcome news, we continue to urge the government to develop a coherent, consistent and equitable long-term emergency response framework for crisis situations such as Sudan.
Read our letter below.
Senator the Hon. Penny Wong
Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for International Development, Minister for Small Business
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Response to crisis in Sudan
Dear Ministers,
I am writing on behalf of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) to thank you for the recent announcement of an additional $10 million of humanitarian assistance for Sudan. This funding is an important addition that will provide immediate, lifesaving support to a population affected by a conflict the United Nations is calling the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
This essential aid will be vital in addressing the catastrophic shortfall in necessities of clean water, shelter and food. Further, the earmarking of aid to support victim survivors of gender-based violence is also welcome, as alarming reports emerge of sexual violence being systematically used as a weapon of war in Sudan.
While we commend this humanitarian commitment, we urge the Government to develop a coherent, consistent and equitable long term emergency response framework for crisis situations such as Sudan. In partnership with our members and the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, RCOA has developed a forward-looking crisis response framework grounded in urgent protection, timely action, predictable responses, community engagement and additionality. This framework is detailed in our submission to the 2024-25 Humanitarian Program Discussion Paper. It includes principles that strongly align with DFAT’s recent Humanitarian Policy commitments to global refugee protection, including leadership in international resettlement and the expansion of durable solutions.
In Australia, urgent needs are emerging among Sudanese nationals on temporary visas, highlighting the need for access to temporary humanitarian stay arrangements. Between 1 April 2023 and 31 December 2024, Australia granted 1,500 visas to Sudanese citizens. Of these, 448 were visitor visas, with the remaining consisting of family, resident return, skilled and student visas. Members of the Sudanese community have told us that people on temporary visas are struggling and need better access to support, including a financial safety net, housing assistance, childcare subsidies, subsidies for higher education (HELP and HECS loans) and aged and disability services. As there is no indication that Sudan’s crisis will be resolved quickly, we recommend that the Government implement a clear pathway to a durable visa for people from Sudan and ensure that visa-holders have access to rights on arrival (including education for children, access to Medicare, work rights and employment support). This could be in line with provisions offered to Palestinians who arrived on visitor visas in Australia.
RCOA and the Sudanese community have been calling for the following:
- The Australian Government to support efforts by the international community to exert greater diplomatic pressure on the parties involved in the conflict and establish safe corridors for provision of humanitarian aid for people in the most affected areas.
- Increase humanitarian assistance to Sudan and neighbouring countries hosting Sudanese refugees, in addition to the $60 million that has already been provided. Given the Australian Government’s recognition that Sudan is facing the world’s greatest displacement and hunger crisis, it is imperative that this recognition is translated into increased humanitarian aid.
- Establish a clear process to allow Sudanese nationals on Bridging, Visitor and other temporary visas to extend their stay in Australia. This request is in line with UNHCR’s 2023 position on returns to Sudan. We note that UNHCR has reiterated its concerns about Sudan in its Guidance Note issued in April 2025.
- In recognition of the changed circumstances in Sudan since 2023, the Australian Government should allow Sudanese nationals with previously rejected asylum claims to reapply, including those on a removal pathway. This would be in line with UNHCR’s updated advice on returns. Country information used to assess protection claims should be updated to reflect the current situation.
- As the conflict escalates, prioritise processing of visas for Sudanese nationals to enable timely exits to safety. This includes pending Family, Skilled, Refugee and Humanitarian visas as well as Visitor visas. This prioritising should extend to on-hand Refugee and Humanitarian visas for refugees currently residing in Sudan and those of Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
- Engage the Sudanese-Australian community for strategic advice on where humanitarian aid can be directed and on-arrival support needs in Australia. This approach would draw on the community’s detailed knowledge of the crisis and local needs.
- Sudanese Australian grassroots organisations are currently undertaking intensive case management, information sharing, and culturally responsive social support to recent arrivals whose visa status bars them from accessing mainstream services. This vital work, which is crucial for supporting mental health and wellbeing, is currently poorly resourced, relying heavily on volunteer efforts and small one-off grants. To sustain this vital community-led support, greater, reliable resourcing of these organisations is required.
Thank you again for recognising the scale of the humanitarian emergency. We welcome the opportunity to discuss further the points raised in this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Adama Kamara
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Refugee Council of Australia
