The United Nations (UN) refugee agency and partner organizations on Thursday made an appeal to raise $445 million to assist those who fled to neighboring countries due to the fighting in Sudan, reported The UN News.
The appeal comes as about 860,000 people are projected to flee the fighting in Sudan for neighboring countries.
The UNHCR made the funding plea in a preliminary summary of the Regional Response Plan for Sudan that was presented to donors in Geneva. The Regional Response Plan was drawn up by UNHCR along with 134 partner organizations, including sister UN agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups.
The funding will be used to provide immediate support to refugees in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. The UN is expected to announce a more detailed plan next week.
The clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary force, which erupted on April 15, have killed over 500 people and injured over 4,000 others so far. More than 100,000 people have fled to other countries.
Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, said a tragic humanitarian situation has emerged in Sudan due to the ongoing fighting.
The dire conditions include food, water, and fuel shortages, as well as limited access to transport, communications, and electricity. Healthcare assistance has also been critically affected, ongoing insecurity has prevented people from leaving dangerous areas, and the cost of basic items has increased manifolds.
Mr. Mazou said the Un refugee agency and partners have deployed emergency teams and are assisting authorities with technical support, registering arrivals, carrying out protection monitoring, and strengthening reception to ensure urgent needs are met.
He stressed the need for greater support now, warning of the potential wide-reaching consequences. He said new funding is urgently required to respond to the mounting needs of the displaced people.
