International appeal to raise 6 billion to help Sudanese at home and abroad
Moatinoon
The United Nations and its partners launched two humanitarian appeals on Monday to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. The two plans appeal for 6 billion to help nearly 26 million people inside the country and in neighboring countries.
In a joint statement, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said: “Sudan is facing a humanitarian emergency of horrific proportions. Famine is raging. An epidemic of sexual violence is rampant. Children are being killed and injured. The suffering is appalling. But our plan is a lifeline for millions of people. We need to stop the fighting, secure funding to deliver assistance to the Sudanese people, and improve access by land, sea and air to those who need help.”
“A third of Sudan’s population has been displaced. The consequences of this horrific and senseless conflict have extended far beyond Sudan’s borders. Neighbouring countries have shown tremendous solidarity by welcoming refugees. But their resources are limited – basics like water, shelter and health services are scarce – and Sudan needs urgent support. The international community must step in and help, not only to ensure that life-saving emergency assistance and protection continue uninterrupted, but also to end the violence and restore peace in Sudan,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Response inside Sudan
Famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan, including camps for displaced people in Darfur and in the Nuba Mountains. The catastrophic famine is expected to worsen by May as the lean season begins. The crisis is expected to worsen as fighting continues and basic services collapse in most parts of the country.
The Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan aims to reach nearly 21 million vulnerable people with life-saving assistance and protection. This is the highest number of people included in any UN coordinated plan this year and requires 4.2 billion in support.
Response in neighbouring countries
Thousands continue to flee every day as the conflict continues, with the majority of people arriving in a state of extreme vulnerability, with high levels of malnutrition and requiring emergency assistance. So far, nearly 3.5 million people have sought safety in neighbouring countries, further straining already scarce services and resources.
The UN said the regional refugee response plan will prioritise life-saving assistance and protection, including emergency shelter, relocation from border areas to safer locations, psychosocial support, clean water, health care and education.
Humanitarian partners will need 1.8 billion to support 4.8 million people in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda. The plan also aims to help host countries strengthen national services and implement programmes that will help bring stability.
The UN has warned that without immediate funding, two-thirds of refugee children will be denied access to primary education, threatening an entire generation. Some 4.8 million refugees and host community members will continue to face severe food insecurity, with at least 1.8 million people cut off from food assistance. Already strained health systems could collapse.
Last year’s achievements
Last year, humanitarian organizations reached more than 15.6 million people across Sudan with 1.8 billion in support. The assistance provided included food and livelihood support for more than 13 million people, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene, health, nutrition and shelter assistance.
Humanitarian organizations working in neighboring countries provided life-saving assistance by delivering food to more than one million people, medical support to half a million people and protection services to more than 800,000 people.
