Working Paper: The Role of Nafeer and Social Networks in Sudan’s Humanitarian Response and the Challenges for International Aid

Abstract

This paper explores the integral role of Nafeer, a traditional Sudanese communal practice, and social networks in addressing humanitarian crises, focusing on the ongoing 2023 conflict. Nafeer, rooted in rural agricultural settings, has evolved to mobilise urban communities for emergency responses, while social networks extend social support beyond family ties, providing a complementary layer of resource-sharing. Both systems, decentralised and grassroots in nature, contrast sharply with formal international aid structures. The research highlights how Nafeer and social networks mobilise resources through traditional means, such as mobilising social capital and economic resources including remittances, and modern mechanisms, like crowdfunding. It underscores the potential for international actors to enhance humanitarian efforts by aligning with these indigenous systems in a conflict-sensitive and context-driven manner. The paper provides actionable recommendations on how external aid actors can engage more effectively with Nafeer and social networks, empowering local initiatives and bridging gaps in formal responses