As the devastating conflict in Sudan continues, Jersey Overseas Aid, the island’s official publicly-funded relief and development agency, has committed £150,000 to two humanitarian partners that are providing life-saving assistance to those impacted by the protracted and violent war.
The conflict, that is mainly taking place in the capital Khartoum as well as the Western Darfur region between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has left an estimated 24.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance – a 57% increase from the number in need at the beginning of 2023. Over 1.4 million people have fled their homes, including over 450,000 who have crossed into neighbouring countries Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, CAR, and Ethiopia.
Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) has allocated £75,000 to the United Nations’ Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and a further £75,000 to CARE International.
Deputy Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development and Chair of the JOA Commission, said: “I am deeply saddened that the devastating conflict in Sudan continues. In the early weeks of fighting, it was incredibly difficult for humanitarian agencies to get support to those who needed it.
“There have been widespread reports of attacks on healthcare facilities, including the burning down of a factory that produces vital supplies for the treatment of malnourished children in Khartoum. Although access has now improved, many humanitarian agencies were forced to suspend operations in April and early May following the targeting and killing of aid workers. As a consequence, there are now gaps in the current response across all areas and a need to urgently scale-up support.”
In late May, humanitarian partners launched a revised Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 . The Plan seeks $2.6 billion to reach 18.1 million people with food, water and sanitation, protection services and other life-saving assistance. As of today, only 14% of the required total funding has been received.
The ongoing conflict has caused severe damage to essential civilian infrastructure, causing major disruption and limited access to energy, water and communications. The ongoing violence is significantly compounding existing needs caused by years of insecurity, natural hazards, disease outbreaks, and economic deterioration. The number of food insecure people has increased by about 2 million compared to last year and the response is significantly underfunded.
The displacement crisis has placed significant additional pressure on neighbouring countries, many of which are themselves experiencing protracted conflict with large portions of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. Becki Curtis, one of Jersey’s three United Nations Junior Professional Officers (UN JPO), is currently stationed with UNHCR in Egypt, where many displaced Sudanese men, women and children are seeking refuge.
Becki Curtis, Associate Protection Officer, UNHCR Egypt said: “Since 15 April, over 450,000 people have fled Sudan, with over 215,000 seeking refuge here in Egypt. Many new arrivals have faced long and difficult journeys and urgently need water, food, medical treatment, psycho-social support, and housing. Working with UNHCR to provide protection services and register new arrivals, it is clear that international assistance is vital to ensuring the safety of those fleeing Sudan.
“Jersey’s generous contribution to the Appeal is greatly welcomed and will support frontline actors in delivering such essential, life-saving assistance.”
JOA’s £75,000 allocation to UNHCR that will be used to support the UN agency’s six-month Regional Response Plan (RRP) which is focusing on providing essential support for neighbouring countries as the number of displaced people rises. The plan will support host communities in providing timely life-saving assistance through legal aid, family reunification and the provision of food, shelter, and core relief items as well as cash assistance.
CARE International, which has also received £75,000 from JOA, continues to operate inside Sudan with offices in four of the six states including Kassala, Gedaref, East Darfur and South Kordofan. CARE is focusing on lifesaving operations in health, nutrition, WASH and the prevention of Gender Based Violence with refugee communities, the majority of which are women and children.
JOA already supports two UN country based pooled funds in the region (South Sudan and CAR), both of which are providing essential support for those feeling the violence.
Pictured: Care Sudan Tunaydbah team distributed 2 bars of soap to each of the 39 families who arrived from Khartoum.
