UN appeals for $4.1bn in aid to alleviate Sudan's 'epic suffering'

The United Nations appealed Wednesday for $4.1 billion in aid to provide for civilians caught-up in the conflict in Sudan 

Members of the Sudanese armed popular resistance, which supports the army, during a meeting with the city's governor in Gedaref, Sudan, on 16 January 2024. AFP - EBRAHIM HAMID

"Ten months of conflict have robbed the people of Sudan of nearly everything - their safety, their homes and their livelihoods," United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement.

Brutal Conflict

The brutal conflict that erupted in Sudan in April last year has caused a humanitarian collapse and left over half of the country's population - around 25 million people - in need of assistance and protection.   

• Fighting in Sudan's El Gezira state threatens aid, displaces thousands

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

"The generosity of donors helps us provide food and nutrition, shelter, clean water, and education for children, and to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and care for the survivors," Griffiths added.

"But last year's appeal was less than half funded. This year, we must do better and with a heightened sense of urgency."

Help for neighbouring countries

The UN refugee agency UNHCR meanwhile said it needs another $1.4 billion to help nearly 2.7 million people -- refugees and members of their host communities -- across five of Sudan's neighbouring countries.

The World Food Programme (WFP) also sent its reagional director to Sudan this week,  Michael Dunford, to assess the impact of the conflict on the people.

𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 | WFP Regional Director Eastern Africa Region @micdunford arrives in Sudan to assess the impact of the conflict on the people.

"Conflict forced millions from their homes, with families moving multiple times for safety and many cut off from aid." https://t.co/PCykmah3Q2 pic.twitter.com/rbZNd8Bu16

— WFP Media (@WFP_Media) February 7, 2024

The war between Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in the death of thousands of citizens, including  more than 10,000 in a single city in the western Darfur region, according to UN experts.

Nearly eight million people have fled their homes, including more than 1.5 million who have crossed into neighbouring countries, according to UN figures.

• Over 7.5 million displaced people in Sudan after nine months of war

And the expanding fighting in Sudan has sparked rampant hunger with nearly 18 million people facing acute food insecurity.   

A new report from the UN Security Council Panel of Experts of Sudan also describes waves of devastating attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allied militias in West Darfur’s capital of El Geneina.

 (with newswires)