The United Nations issued an appeal today, Wednesday, for $4.1 billion to address the humanitarian needs of civilians suffering from the war in Sudan, as well as those who have fled to neighboring countries. It stated that "half of Sudan's population, approximately 25 million people, requires humanitarian assistance and protection, while more than 1.5 million have fled to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan."
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in a joint appeal with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called for "funding of $2.7 billion to provide humanitarian aid to 14.7 million people." The Commission requested $1.4 billion to support nearly 2.7 million in five neighboring countries under the appeal.
Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated: "Ten months of conflict has stripped the people of Sudan of almost everything: their safety, homes, and livelihoods... However, last year's appeal raised less than half of the required funding. This year, we must do better with an increasing sense of urgency to expedite this."
