Christian Aid: The world must not look away as one million flee Sudan

James Wani

Source: Christian Aid

More than one million people from Sudan have crossed the border into neighbouring South Sudan to flee the conflict that started in April 2023.

According to the latest UN figures, almost three quarters of those fleeing are South Sudanese nationals returning to their homeland while over a quarter are Sudanese refugees. But they are entering a country already struggling with its own crises.

James Wani, Christian Aid's Country Director for South Sudan based in Juba, said: "The knock-on effects of the war in Sudan together with widespread, catastrophic flooding has heaped even more hardship on a population already struggling to survive.

"The world must not look away from what is happening and do all it can to provide more funding for the level of lifesaving aid that is needed in both countries."

Around eight in 10 people in South Sudan live in extreme poverty and over six million people across the country face food shortages, with 1.7 million of these just one step away from famine.

Over 12 million people have left Sudan because of the conflict making the country the largest internal displacement crisis in the world.

Funding from the Scottish Government's Humanitarian Emergency Fund has been awarded to Christian Aid for the distribution of emergency cash grants to over 5,000 people so they can buy food and other essentials.

Local partner Coalition for Humanity is distributing this to refugees from Sudan living in the Wedweil refugee camp as well as to South Sudanese returnees, who have moved back to the Arweil area.

Christian Aid's local partners together with other donors are supporting 20,000 families in both countries but the needs far outstrip resources.

The UN's $2.7 billion humanitarian appeal for Sudan is only 57 per cent funded.
The UN's emergency regional refugee response to help Sudanese refugees is just over 26% funded.
The UN's South Sudan humanitarian needs and response plan for 2024 of $1.79 billion was just over two thirds funded.
The UN's South Sudan humanitarian needs and response plan for 2025 targets 5.4 million out of the 9.3 million people in need, for an additional $1.7 billion.

LINK

Christian Aid: www.christianaid.org.uk/