The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched an appeal on Monday for one billion dollars to help provide assistance to those fleeing violence in Sudan, stating that it "expects more than 1.8 million people to arrive in five neighboring countries by the end of the year." This estimate is twice that anticipated by the agency in May shortly after the conflict began. Over one million people have already fled Sudan to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic amidst clashes between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces in the capital Khartoum and other areas.
Médecins Sans Frontières reported that thousands have arrived at a reception center in South Sudan, adding that many were sick and exhausted after their journey across the White Nile. South Sudan is expected to receive one-third of the 1.8 million fleeing individuals. The organization mentioned that others have died aboard boats during the nearly three-day journey.
The UNHCR expressed deep concern for the health of newly arrived individuals after observing an increase in malnutrition and diseases such as cholera and measles in "several" host countries. Mamadou Dian Baldé, UNHCR’s regional refugee coordinator for East Africa and the Horn of Africa, stated, "It is incredibly sad to receive reports of children dying from diseases that could have been completely prevented if partners had sufficient resources... Work can no longer be delayed."
A UNHCR spokesperson told Reuters that the revised appeal for one billion dollars represents an increase of nearly half a million dollars, considering additional refugees and extending programs for another two months until the end of December. The new regional appeal has only raised 19 percent of the required amount.
