For the purpose of the UN and Partners Work Plan, Red Sea, Kassala and Gedaref States are referred to as Eastern Sudan.

The region is characterized by long term poverty and underdevelopment. Recurring outbreaks of malaria, dengue, meningitis, cholera and tuberculosis hamper the areas development. The Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate remains at 17.7%, with regional pockets reaching rates of 24% (specifically in the Hamesh Koreib area). Access to water and sanitation is limited with 67% of the population having access to safe water and 58% with access to sanitation. Concerning education, overall enrolment rates are low (especially for girls) while the dropout rate is as high as 15%. The lack of teaching facilities, educational materials, and teachers throughout Eastern Sudan has lead to excessively high illiteracy rates, in some areas reaching 85%.

The northern part of Kassala State and the southern part of Red Sea State are prone to drought, while annual flooding occurs in Kassala and Gedaref States.

Kassala and Gedaref States have a continued influx of refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea. The precise number of refugees in the region is estimated at approximately 85,000 in refugee camps, with approximately 10,000 more arriving annually, and 70,000 IDPs. The lack of basic services and the presence of landmines in their areas of origin are major deterrents to return.

On 14 October 2006 the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) was signed in Asmara between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front. This is expected to provide both advantages and challenges across a range of issues, including general security and access to previously inaccessible areas.