Lack of funding hindering humanitarian response in Sudan: OCHA

November 1, 2023 (PORT SUDAN) – Lack of funding is still a hinderance to humanitarian responses in war-torn Sudan, where fighting between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced over 5 million people.

The UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) said a total of $2.6 billion is required to deliver lifesaving assistance and protection services to 18.1 million people in Sudan this year. 

“The Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is 31.7 per cent funded. Additional funds are urgently needed, including for the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), which supports national NGOs on the frontline of the response,” read its humanitarian situation report. 

Since fighting erupted on 15 April, Sudan is experiencing a large-scale humanitarian crisis, with half the population (24.7 million) in need of humanitarian aid and protection. 

Around 5.3 million people are displaced within Sudan and to neighbouring countries.

Millions of people particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan lack access to basic services, such as food, water, shelter, health, and education, the UN agency reported.

“Reaching those in need in partially accessible and hard-to-reach areas, remains extremely difficult due to ongoing insecurity, and lack of commitment by the parties to the conflict to provide safe passage,” it stressed.

OCHA further said relief operations through cross-border and across Sudan are scaling up access and civil-military negotiations have led to a number of successful interventions, resulting in delivery of 62,546 MT (1,381 trucks) of relief items in August and additional 36,988 MT (840 trucks) in September targeting displaced communities. 

“The planned movement of 786 MT (21 trucks) to Kordofan and Darfur states has been canceled due to insecurity,” it noted.

Violence against humanitarian personnel and assets continues, including looting of aid trucks, offices and drivers that curtail the capacity of the humanitarian organizations.

Since the conflict erupted, at least 20 aid workers have reportedly been killed in Sudan.

(ST)