Submit Applications for Rapid Response Fund Sudan (Sudan)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sudan, with support from USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), is accepting applications for the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) to provide rapid and flexible funding for humanitarian organizations responding to emergencies across Sudan. Eligible organizations can request up to USD 250,000 per project to deliver life-saving assistance in sectors such as shelter, WASH, health, protection, and humanitarian coordination.

The fund is designed to enable humanitarian actors to respond quickly to conflict, displacement, flooding, drought, and other sudden emergencies through a streamlined grant application and approval process.

IOM Sudan Rapid Response Fund (RRF)

The Rapid Response Fund (RRF) is a humanitarian funding mechanism established by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sudan with financial support from USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).

The programme provides rapid financial assistance to humanitarian organizations responding to sudden emergencies caused by conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and other humanitarian crises across Sudan.

By offering flexible funding and a simplified application process, the RRF enables organizations to launch life-saving interventions without lengthy funding delays.

Programme Objectives

The Rapid Response Fund aims to:

• Provide rapid humanitarian funding during emergencies.
• Address urgent humanitarian needs among vulnerable populations.
• Support flexible and needs-based emergency responses.
• Enable humanitarian organizations to respond quickly to sudden crises.
• Improve access to life-saving assistance across affected communities.
• Strengthen humanitarian coordination and emergency response capacity.

Why This Fund Matters

Sudan continues to face complex humanitarian emergencies caused by armed conflict, displacement, flooding, drought, and public health risks.

Communities affected by these crises often require immediate assistance before larger humanitarian programmes become operational.

The Rapid Response Fund helps bridge this critical gap by allowing qualified humanitarian organizations to mobilize quickly and deliver emergency assistance where it is needed most.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects should support one or more of the following humanitarian sectors:

Shelter and Settlements

Activities may include:

• Emergency shelter.
• Temporary shelter solutions.
• Shelter-related non-food items (NFIs).
• Emergency household assistance.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Projects may include:

• Safe drinking water.
• Emergency sanitation facilities.
• Hygiene promotion.
• Water supply rehabilitation.
• Distribution of hygiene kits.

Health

Eligible activities include:

• Emergency healthcare services.
• Disease prevention.
• Essential medical assistance.
• Community health interventions.

Protection

Projects may support:

• Protection services for vulnerable populations.
• Assistance for displaced persons.
• Child protection.
• Gender-sensitive protection interventions.
• Community-based protection activities.

Humanitarian Coordination and Information Management

Activities may include:

• Humanitarian coordination.
• Emergency information management.
• Response planning.
• Situation monitoring.
• Data collection and reporting.

Emergencies Covered

The Rapid Response Fund may be activated in response to:

• Conflict-induced displacement.
• Inter-state conflict.
• Intra-state conflict.
• Inter-ethnic violence.
• Intra-ethnic violence.
• Flooding.
• Drought.
• Loss of livelihoods and assets.
• Major public health risks.
• Other sudden humanitarian emergencies.

Funding Information

• Maximum grant amount: Up to USD 250,000 per project.
• Larger funding requests may be considered in exceptional circumstances where clearly justified.
• Available funding may differ by humanitarian sector.
• Applicants are encouraged to confirm sector-specific funding limits before submitting proposals.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include humanitarian organizations that:

• Are registered with the Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC).
• International NGOs must be registered at the federal level.
• National NGOs must be registered at the state level.
• Have technical expertise in the proposed humanitarian sector.
• Have an established operational presence in the target area.
• Can access proposed implementation locations.
• Hold required technical agreements or can obtain them quickly.

Organisational Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Qualified technical staff.
• Adequate operational capacity.
• Ability to begin implementation immediately.
• Strong project development experience.
• Sound financial management systems.
• Monitoring and reporting capacity.
• Compliance with procurement regulations.
• Compliance with eligible goods restrictions.

Who Should Consult Before Applying?

Organizations already receiving USAID BHA funding should consult BHA before applying.

This helps determine whether:

• Existing awards can address the identified needs, or
• The Rapid Response Fund is the most appropriate funding mechanism.

How the Rapid Response Fund Works

The funding process is designed to support rapid humanitarian action.

The process generally includes:

1. Identification of an emergency.
2. Preparation of a project proposal.
3. Submission of the Rapid Response Fund Sudan Project Proposal Form.
4. OFAC sanctions screening.
5. Technical review against RRF Sudan Guidelines.
6. Grant approval.
7. Rapid fund disbursement.
8. Immediate project implementation.
9. Monitoring and reporting.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations should follow these steps:

1. Confirm eligibility and registration with the Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission.
2. Review the Rapid Response Fund Sudan Guidelines.
3. Develop a project addressing urgent humanitarian needs.
4. Complete the Rapid Response Fund Sudan Project Proposal Form.
5. Submit the proposal for review.
6. Successfully complete OFAC sanctions screening.
7. Respond to any clarification requests during assessment.
8. Upon approval, begin implementation immediately.

Proposal Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Alignment with RRF objectives.
• Compliance with sector-specific guidelines.
• Humanitarian relevance.
• Urgency of the proposed intervention.
• Technical quality.
• Organisational capacity.
• Financial management capability.
• Operational readiness.
• Monitoring and reporting systems.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly demonstrate urgent humanitarian needs.
• Present realistic implementation plans.
• Show immediate operational readiness.
• Include experienced technical staff.
• Provide evidence of local presence.
• Align activities with humanitarian sector standards.
• Explain expected life-saving outcomes.
• Prepare accurate budgets and procurement plans.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Applying without HAC registration.
• Proposing activities outside eligible humanitarian sectors.
• Submitting incomplete proposal forms.
• Weak emergency needs assessments.
• Insufficient financial management systems.
• Delayed implementation plans.
• Ignoring procurement or compliance requirements.
• Failing OFAC sanctions screening requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who manages the Rapid Response Fund?

The fund is managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sudan with support from USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).

What is the maximum grant amount?

Applicants may request up to USD 250,000 per project. Higher amounts may be considered in exceptional, well-justified cases.

Which sectors are eligible?

The programme supports:

• Shelter and Settlements
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Health
• Protection
• Humanitarian Coordination and Information Management

Who can apply?

Eligible humanitarian organizations registered with the Sudan Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) that meet operational, technical, and financial requirements.

What emergencies does the fund support?

The fund supports responses to armed conflict, displacement, ethnic violence, flooding, drought, public health emergencies, and other sudden humanitarian crises.

Is sanctions screening required?

Yes. All applicants must successfully complete OFAC sanctions screening before funding can be approved.

Can organizations already funded by BHA apply?

Yes, but they should first consult USAID BHA to determine whether existing awards can address the identified humanitarian needs or whether the Rapid Response Fund is the appropriate funding mechanism.

Conclusion

The IOM Sudan Rapid Response Fund (RRF) provides humanitarian organizations with rapid, flexible funding to respond to emergencies affecting vulnerable communities across Sudan. With grants of up to USD 250,000, streamlined application procedures, and support across critical humanitarian sectors, the programme enables qualified organizations to deliver timely, life-saving assistance during conflict, displacement, flooding, drought, and other sudden crises while strengthening humanitarian coordination and emergency response capacity.