With the conflict in Sudan entering its second month, the United Nations and its partners Wednesday called for USD three billion to help millions of people in the country and hundreds of thousands fleeing to neighbouring countries.
This came in a joint statement released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
As the death toll mounts, humanitarian needs soar, and displacement grows, the UN is launching two response plans to provide food, health care, shelter, protection and other critical assistance, according to the statement.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan has been revised due to the soaring needs spurred by the current crisis. It now requires USD 2.56 billion, an increase of USD 800 million from just a few months ago, to help 18 million people until the end of this year, making it the largest appeal ever issued for Sudan, it added.
The Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan seeks USD 470.4 million to support refugees, returnees and host communities in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, it said.
The funds are intended to help over one million people, including refugees, returnees and third country nationals, it noted.
“This conflict is a cruel blow for the people of Sudan, already staggering under the weight of a desperate humanitarian situation. The desire, willingness and impatience of humanitarian agencies to deliver remains as strong as ever,” said Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths.
“The signing of the Declaration of Commitment was a welcome first step towards protecting civilians and delivering aid safely. But now we need the generosity of the international community to scale up our response and reach all those in need,” he added.
Source: Kuwait News Agency