Extra £39m to war-torn Sudan as it faces famine
AID to help Sudan will soar as the war-torn nation’s humanitarian crisis deepens.
Africa minister Andrew Mitchell announced the £39million cash boost during a trip to the SudanChad border, a crossing point for people fleeing the violence.
Sudan plunged into chaos last April when clashes erupted in the capital Khartoum between the country’s military, led by General
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary faction, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
Some of the extra aid will go to Unicef to deliver food and other supplies to people in hard-to-access areas, including 500,000 underfives, said the Foreign Office.
An additional £4.9million will be used to prevent and respond to female genital mutilation, child marriage and genderbased violence.
It is part of an £89million UK aid package for Sudan in 2024-25, up from nearly £50million this financial year.Almost a year of conflict has left 25 million people, more than half of the population in desperate need. The African nation is at risk of famine, the UN has warned. Sudan tops the International Rescue Committee’s emergency watchlist owing to the escalating conflict, refugee crisis, economic chaos and collapsing healthcare.
Mr Mitchell said: “The conflict in Sudan is devastating lives. Millions are displaced and facing catastrophic hunger conditions. There is growing evidence of atrocities against civilians.
“The package announced today will help save lives.We have not forgotten the war in Sudan – nor must the world.”