Geneva: The United Nations and its partners on Monday launched the 2025 humanitarian and refugee response plans for Sudan, appealing for a combined USD six billion to assist nearly 26 million people inside the country and in the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, this announcement was made in a joint statement issued from Geneva by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The humanitarian response plan for Sudan aims to raise USD 4.2 billion to provide aid to 21 million people inside the country, while the regional refugee response plan seeks to raise USD 1.8 billion to support 4.8 million people in refugee-hosting countries, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher described Sudan's situation as a humanitarian emergency, highlighting the spread of famine and severe challenges, particularly among children who face constant threats. He emphasized the need to stop the fighting and secure funding to deliver aid and ensure access by land, sea, and air to those in need.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi pointed out that one-third of Sudan's entire population is displaced. Neighboring countries have shown solidarity by welcoming refugees, but essentials such as water, shelter, and health services are limited, and Sudan needs urgent support. Grandi noted that nearly 3.5 million people have sought safety in neighboring countries, further straining already scarce services and resources.
The UN warned of famine conditions in at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur and the western Nuba Mountains, with hunger expected to worsen by May. With ongoing fighting and the collapse of basic services across most of the country, the crisis is set to deteriorate further.
The UN agencies also cautioned that without immediate funding, two-thirds of refugee children would be denied access to education.