Ireland provides additional funds for humanitarian needs in Sudan

December 16, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The government of Ireland has contributed an additional $1.9 million to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF), following its contribution earlier this year of more than $1.3 million to help address growing humanitarian needs in Sudan.

Ireland’s minister of development, trade promotion and north-south cooperation Seán Sherlock, said the Irish funding will help the UN and its partners to respond effectively to the immense humanitarian needs in Sudan by improving nutrition and ensuring greater access to clean water and healthcare and filling other critical humanitarian gaps.

Funds will particularly be utilized by national and international voluntary organizations which constitute 50% of CHF recipients. These funds will also ensure that live-saving projects continue to provide assistance to those in need.

Ali Al-Za’tari, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator noted that the timely CHF allocations, such as Ireland’s, constitute a key source of support for the numerous activities in Sudan, saying it adds to what is being provided by the relevant local and international partners working in the field.

Since the inception of the Sudan CHF in 2006 Ireland has been a committed donor, to date committing over US $30 million dollars.

The Sudan CHF is a multi-donor pooled fund that supports the timely allocation and disbursement of funds to Sudan’s most critical humanitarian needs. To date, it has received and granted over one billion dollars to aid organizations in Sudan.

This year, the Sudan CHF has received support from Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).

UK, Norway and Switzerland have provided second allocations, bringing the overall contributions in 2014 to $58 million.

(ST)