UN Appeals for Funds to Alleviate Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

The United Nations appealed for $4.1 billion to provide desperately needed aid to civilians in war-ravaged Sudan and those who have fled as refugees, warning of “epic suffering” fueled by the ongoing conflict.

The UN called on donors to provide funds to address the soaring humanitarian needs, amid warnings by the UN’s World Food Programme that people are starving to death in areas cut off by fighting.

The conflict, which erupted in April last year, has plunged Sudan into a state of humanitarian collapse, leaving over half of the country’s population in need of assistance and protection.

The UN and its partners said they needed $2.7 billion this year to reach 14.7 million people with life-saving aid inside the country.

Filippo Grandi, the UN’s refugee Commissioner, who recently visited Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, urged the international community to step up their support for the people of Sudan stressing that they are in desperate need of assistance.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said it requires an additional $1.4 billion to help nearly 2.7 million refugees and members of their host communities across five neighbouring countries.