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UN appeals for $1.4bn aid to Sudan

Wednesday May 16 2018
blue nile

A refugee receives grain at a camp in Sudan's Blue Nile. The UN is appealing for more humanitarian aid to the country's vulnerable populations. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By MOHAMMED AMIN

The United Nations is appealing for $1.4 billion for humanitarian aid in Sudan.

The UN says the number of the vulnerable people in the country had risen from 5.5 million to 7.1 million this year.

The UN humanitarian chief, Mr Mark Lowcock, urged the international community to speed up its support as the situation was fast deteriorating.

“I urge the international community to step up support to the humanitarian needs of the 7.1 million vulnerable people and invest in the country’s social-economic development,” the UN official said.

Completely dependent

“Millions of people face serious and growing humanitarian needs. Many have suffered for the past 15 years, but we cannot let them slide into a situation where they become completely dependent on humanitarian assistance,” he added.

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Mr Lowcock disclosed that the international donors had only provided $229 million since the beginning of 2018.

“The United Nations-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan for 2018 now appeals for $1.4 billion and requirements may rise further as people become increasingly vulnerable due to the economic situation. So far this year, donors have provided some $229 million,” Mr. Lowcock said.

He warned that the current economic crisis, and particularly the fuel shortage, had complicated the Sudan food security for 2018.

The war zones

“Sudan’s humanitarian situation has become increasingly complex as recent food price increases have left many additional people unable to afford enough to eat. In addition, recent fuel shortages have affected humanitarian agencies’ ability to deliver assistance to vulnerable communities,” he stated.

Sudan has faced a deep economic crisis since the beginning of 2018 that has added more humanitarian needs to the aid already delivered to the war zones, including Darfur, South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.

The country also hosts 1.2 million refugees, including over 770,000 from South Sudan.

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