UN launches $3b appeal for urgent aid and protection amid Sudan crisis
May 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The United Nations and its partners have made a joint press release calling for $3 billion in aid to help millions of people in Sudan and hundreds of thousands fleeing to neighbouring countries. As the conflict in Sudan enters its second month, the death toll has risen, humanitarian needs are soaring, and displacement is growing. The UN is launching two response plans to provide food, health care, shelter, protection, and other critical assistance.
The Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan has been revised, and it now requires $2.56 billion to help 18 million people until the end of the year, making it the largest appeal ever issued for Sudan. The Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan seeks $470.4 million to support refugees, returnees, and host communities in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths stated that “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.”
The revised Humanitarian Response Plan will focus on swiftly ramping up food, water and sanitation, and other life-saving assistance. It will also increase its focus on protection, including the protection of children and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The Refugee Response Plan will help host countries to coordinate the response with a “whole-of-society” approach in support of host governments and communities. It outlines the multisector strategy and financial requirements of 140 partners to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to those who have been forced to flee across borders.
The most urgent immediate needs include water and sanitation, food, shelter, health, cash assistance, and core relief items. Particularly in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, movement away from the border areas is a major logistical and financial challenge. In many of the hosting, the rainy season is approaching. For protection assistance, a priority is to support local authorities with registration and identify those at heightened risk for specific aid.
(ST)