Summary:
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The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has called for $445 million in aid to provide emergency support for an estimated 860,000 refugees and returnees fleeing Sudan.
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The ongoing conflict in Sudan has already displaced over 330,000 people internally and over 100,000 refugees and returnees leaving the country.
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In addition to the refugees and returnees, the current fighting in Sudan has already displaced over 330,000 people within the country, with over 100,000 refugees and returnees leaving the country.
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UNHCR has called on donors to contribute $445 million to support the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan.
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The UNHCR is urgently calling for $445 million in aid from donors to support the estimated 860,000 refugees and returnees fleeing from Sudan to neighbouring countries.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels, with shortages of food, water, fuel, and basic commodities. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has called for $445 million in aid to provide emergency support for an estimated 860,000 refugees and returnees fleeing Sudan. The inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan was presented to donors and includes immediate support for Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. UNHCR and partners have emergency teams in place, registering arrivals, providing technical support, and monitoring protection to ensure urgent needs are met. The 134 partners include UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and civil society groups. UNHCR is coordinating contingency planning with partners for new arrivals, with Egypt and South Sudan expecting the highest number of arrivals. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has already displaced over 330,000 people internally and over 100,000 refugees and returnees leaving the country. UNHCR launched a data portal to update daily numbers of refugee and returnee arrivals in neighbouring countries. The organisation has urged for more help to address the dire situation in Sudan.
The Need for Funding
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen as the number of refugees and returnees fleeing the country rises. The situation is dire, with food, water, and fuel shortages, limited access to transportation, and skyrocketing prices of basic items. In response, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is calling for urgent funding to support the displaced individuals until October.
According to UNHCR, the estimated number of refugees and returnees fleeing Sudan is 860,000. The organisation is working with its partners to provide immediate support in Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. However, with the current level of funding, the agency is unable to provide the necessary assistance to all those in need.
UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Raouf Mazou, highlighted the gravity of the situation, saying, “UNHCR and partners have emergency teams in place and are assisting authorities with technical support, registering arrivals, carrying out protection monitoring, and strengthening reception to ensure urgent needs are met. This is just a start. More help is urgently needed.”
UNHCR is coordinating contingency planning with its partners for new arrivals, including refugees, returning refugees, and others, to neighbouring countries. Of the estimated 860,000 individuals, around 580,000 are expected to be Sudanese, 235,000 refugees previously hosted by Sudan returning home in adverse conditions, and 45,000 refugees of other nationalities previously hosted by Sudan. Egypt and South Sudan are expected to see the most arrivals.
In addition to the refugees and returnees, the current fighting in Sudan has already displaced over 330,000 people within the country, with over 100,000 refugees and returnees leaving the country. To keep donors updated on the situation, UNHCR has launched a data portal that will update daily with new numbers of refugee and returnee arrivals in neighbouring countries.
With the continued political instability in Sudan, it is essential to provide adequate funding and resources to support the growing number of refugees and returnees. UNHCR’s call for $445 million in aid is an urgent appeal to donors to step up and provide much-needed assistance to the displaced individuals in the region.
The Response Plan
The Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan is a collaborative effort between UNHCR and its partners, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and civil society groups. The plan aims to provide assistance and protection to refugees and returnees fleeing from Sudan, particularly in Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. The plan recognises the urgent need for shelter, food, water, sanitation, and healthcare services for displaced individuals, as well as education and protection services.
Furthermore, the plan emphasises the importance of empowering local communities and authorities to help meet the needs of the refugees and returnees. By working together, UNHCR and its partners hope to provide immediate and sustainable solutions to the displacement crisis in the region. However, to achieve these goals, significant funding is needed.
UNHCR has called on donors to contribute $445 million to support the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan. This funding will be used to support the immediate needs of refugees and returnees until October, including providing emergency teams, technical support, protection monitoring, and strengthening reception facilities.
It is clear that the situation in and around Sudan is tragic, with food, water, and fuel shortages, limited access to transport, communications, and electricity, and skyrocketing prices of basic items. UNHCR and its partners have been working tirelessly to assist authorities with technical support, registering arrivals, carrying out protection monitoring, and strengthening reception facilities. However, more help is urgently needed to address the needs of the displaced populations in the region.
Collaboration and Partnerships
In order to address the needs of refugees and returnees, collaboration and partnerships are crucial. UNHCR recognises the importance of working closely with a range of partners, including UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society groups. By pooling their resources and expertise, these organisations can provide a more coordinated and effective response to the crisis. This type of collaboration also ensures that aid and support reaches the most vulnerable populations, particularly those living in hard-to-reach areas.
Through partnerships, UNHCR can leverage the strengths of various organisations to address different aspects of the crisis. For example, some partners may be able to provide emergency shelter and basic necessities, while others may be better equipped to provide education or medical services. By working together, they can ensure that all the immediate needs of refugees and returnees are met, while also supporting long-term solutions to the crisis.
The Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan, which was developed in collaboration with 134 partners, reflects this approach. The plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the immediate needs of refugees and returnees, and seeks to enhance the capacity of local communities and authorities to support them. By working together in this way, UNHCR and its partners can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by the crisis.
UNHCR Urges More Assistance for Refugees Fleeing Sudan
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, is calling for more funding to support the estimated 860,000 refugees and returnees fleeing from Sudan, according to a recent announcement. The agency has already requested $445 million in aid from donors to provide assistance until October. With the political instability and violence in Sudan causing a surge in displacement, neighbouring countries are struggling to cope with the influx of refugees, placing additional pressure on their already struggling communities.
The Need for Urgent Action
The humanitarian situation in and around Sudan is dire, with food, water, and fuel shortages, limited access to transport, communications, and electricity, and skyrocketing prices of basic items. Raouf Mazou, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, stressed the urgent need for more assistance from the international community to address the crisis. UNHCR and its partners have already deployed emergency teams and are working to provide technical support, register arrivals, carry out protection monitoring, and strengthen reception to ensure that urgent needs are met.
The Response Plan
To address the immediate needs of refugees and returnees, the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan outlines a comprehensive strategy that includes provisions for shelter, food, water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and protection services. The plan also seeks to enhance the capacity of local communities and authorities to support the displaced individuals. By working closely with partners, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and civil society groups, UNHCR hopes to ensure a coordinated and effective response to the crisis.
Projected Figures and Data Portal
The 860,000 figure is a preliminary projection for financial and operational planning. Of the total, some 580,000 would be Sudanese, 235,000 refugees previously hosted by Sudan returning home in adverse conditions, and 45,000 refugees of other nationalities previously hosted by Sudan. Egypt and South Sudan are expected to see the most arrivals. As the situation remains fluid, UNHCR launched a data portal that will provide daily updates on new numbers of refugee and returnee arrivals in neighboring countries.
Overall, the situation in and around Sudan remains critical, with millions of individuals in urgent need of assistance. With collaboration and partnerships between UNHCR and its partners, more funding, and a coordinated response, it is hoped that the displaced individuals will receive the necessary aid and support to rebuild their lives.
Lack of Funding Hinders Aid Efforts
The current crisis in Sudan has led to a significant increase in the number of refugees and returnees seeking safety in neighbouring countries. However, the already struggling communities in these countries are facing further pressure due to lack of funding for aid efforts. Most of the countries hosting these displaced individuals are perennially underfunded, with less than 15 percent of their 2023 funding needs met so far. This is a major hindrance to the provision of life-saving humanitarian assistance and other essential services to those in need.
Conclusion
The UNHCR is urgently calling for $445 million in aid from donors to support the estimated 860,000 refugees and returnees fleeing from Sudan to neighbouring countries. With a comprehensive Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan in place, UNHCR and its partners are working tirelessly to provide vital aid and support to those in need. However, more help is needed to address the tragic humanitarian situation in and around Sudan. By collaborating closely with partners and working together to address the immediate needs of refugees and returnees, UNHCR and its partners can provide a coordinated and effective response to the crisis.
