The United Nations and its partners have launched an appeal for $4.1 billion to address the urgent humanitarian needs of Sudanese civilians affected by the ongoing conflict. The crisis has left half of Sudan’s population, approximately 25 million people, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Additionally, more than 1.5 million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
The conflict, which has been ongoing for ten months, has led to widespread displacement and protection crises, particularly in Sudan’s Aj Jazirah region. The situation has resulted in severe food insecurity, with nearly 18 million people facing acute hunger. Critical civilian infrastructure, including water supply networks and health facilities, have been damaged, exacerbating the spread of diseases like cholera, measles, and malaria. Furthermore, approximately 19 million children are currently out of school, and human rights violations, including gender-based violence, persist.
The UN’s humanitarian response, led by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), seeks to raise $2.7 billion to assist 14.7 million people within Sudan. Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is coordinating the Regional Refugee Response Plan, aiming to secure $1.4 billion to support nearly 2.7 million people in the neighboring countries.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Ten months of conflict have robbed the people of Sudan of nearly everything – their safety, their homes, and their livelihoods.” He urged for increased funding and a heightened sense of urgency to address the crisis.
The conflict has also placed significant strain on host countries that were already supporting large refugee populations. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, stressed the need for peace and support to rebuild the lives of those affected, urging the international community to step up its support.
Despite challenges in accessing conflict-affected areas, humanitarian organizations have managed to reach approximately 7 million people in Sudan in 2023. The humanitarian community continues to provide life-saving assistance and support local responders in hard-to-reach areas. Cross-border access from Chad has been a vital lifeline for aid delivery.
In 2023, 64 partners worked with host governments to provide life-saving support to over 1.5 million people in neighboring countries. The 2024 Refugee Response Plan aims to sustain life-saving interventions and support resilience-building initiatives for up to 2.7 million people.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Jens Laerke, OCHA Geneva, laerke@un.org, +41 79 472 9750
William Spindler, UNHCR Geneva, spindler@unhcr.org, +41 79 549 5998
