Britain provides new humanitarian support for Sudan
The UK will provide further life-saving food, water and support for families forced from their homes by recent fighting in Sudan.
Britain will contribute a further £7 million to the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund appeal for Sudan, International Development Minster Baroness Northover announced today during a visit to Khartoum.
The ongoing conflict has forced more people from their homes than at any time since 2003 and seven million people are now expected to need emergency assistance this year.
In addition to providing food, clean water and sanitation, this funding will ensure children displaced by conflict continue to receive an education.
The humanitarian situation in Sudan has further deteriorated in the last few weeks due to increased conflict in Darfur and in the Blue Nile and South Kordofan states. UNICEF estimates that around 6,000 children have been displaced in the recent fighting around Jebel Marra, a situation made worse by unseasonably cold weather.
Baroness Northover said:
“The conflict in Darfur is one of Africa’s longest running, and increased fighting has driven even more people from their homes.
“Britain will not turn its back on families who are trapped in poverty by years of conflict. While this new funding is helping to meet basic needs, only lasting peace will allow people to build prosperous lives independent of aid.”
The UK remains the largest donor to the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund for Sudan, providing almost half of its funding in 2014. Among other results, this funding has ensured that over 35,000 children were treated for malnutrition, 91,500 internally displaced people were provided with agricultural supplies and 760,000 outpatient consultations were conducted.
During her visit, Baroness Northover will meet with Sudanese officials to discuss the political reforms needed to bring a lasting peace and raise UK concerns about the humanitarian situation. She will also visit UK funded initiatives including a World Food Programme food voucher programme and work support new mothers to understand the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation.
This £7 million contribution brings the total UK contribution to the Sudan CHF to £313 million since 2006.
The CHF was set up in 2006 and to provide timely allocation and disbursement of funds to Sudan’s most critical humanitarian needs. The CHF funds are allocated to projects included in the Sudan Strategic Response Plan (SRP) and in line with the SRP strategic objectives and in response to sudden-onset and unforeseen humanitarian needs.
In addition, the UK provided £47m of bilateral aid to Sudan in 2013-2014. This has provided 222,000 people with health and nutrition-related programmes and 660,000 people with food security and livelihoods assistance.