UN seeks $6 billion to deal with Sudan’s hunger crisis

UN officials have reqested $6 billion from donors this year for Sudan to address what is has described as the world’s worst ever hunger catastrophe and the mass displacement of people caused by civil war, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on February 17th.

The UN’s $6 billion appeal is over 40% higher than last year’s appeal for Sudan; this is partly a result of a pause in funding announced by US President Donald Trump in January which has impacted life-saving programs across the world.

Some agencies say they have received approval from Washington to give aid to Sudan however the extent of coverage for giving famine relief remains unclear.

According to the UN, the funds are needed due to the impact of the 22-month war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sudan’s civil war has displaced a fifth of its population and stoked extreme hunger affecting about half of it.

The UN plan is the most ambitious humanitarian response for 2025 so far, aiming to reach almost 21 million people within Sudan. It requires $4.2 billion, with the remaining funds allocated to those displaced by the conflict.

Famine has reached at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur, and is expected to worsen as fighting continues, a UN statement said.

“This is a humanitarian crisis that is truly unprecedented in its scale and its gravity and it demands a response unprecedented in scale and intent,” UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said.

In a video call with diplomats in Geneva, World Food Program chief Cindy McCain said: “Sudan is now the epicenter of the world’s largest and most severe hunger crisis ever.”

Asharq Al-Awsat