Geneva/New York, May 17 – The United Nations has called for US$3 billion in urgent humanitarian aid for some 25 million Sudanese people caught in the war between rival armies as fighting entered a second month in the country.

“This conflict is a cruel blow for the people of Sudan, already staggering under the weight of a desperate humanitarian situation,” said Martin Griffiths, the U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator. “The desire, willingness and impatience of humanitarian agencies to deliver remains as strong as ever.”

Griffiths said the organization, which has kept its humanitarian program and personnel in Sudan regardless of the fighting, now depends on “the generosity of the international community to scale up our response and reach all those in need.”

Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination Division for Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian in Geneva said fighting that pit military leaders of the Sudanese army against paramilitary forces since April 15 has killed hundreds of people, injured more than 5,000 while millions of people have been confined to their homes, unable to access basic services and essential health care..

“Today, 25 million people – more than half the population of Sudan – need humanitarian aid and protection,” he said. “This is the highest number we have ever seen in the country. The response plan we are launching today reflects that new reality. Through the plan, which is a revised version of the annual Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023, we aim to reach 18 million people.”

The Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan previously launched was revised accordingly to meet new demands under the war by the population for food, healthcare, shelters protection and other critical assistance, the U.N. said. It said the new situation required $2.56 billion, an increase of $800 million from just a few months ago, to help 18 million people until the end of this year, making it the largest appeal ever issued for Sudan.

In addition of the response plan, the U.N. said the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan seeks $470.4 million to support refugees, returnees and host communities in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The funds are intended to help over 1 million people, including  refugees, returnees and third country nationals.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said: “More than a month into this crisis, countless people remain terrified inside Sudan, and those who have fled across the country’s many borders are in need of help, often finding themselves in places where access is extremely hard and resources strained. Humanitarians are working hard to respond but we need – once again – to call on countries and individuals with the means, to step up and provide the resources so we can help people who have lost everything.”

The U.N. said recent fighting has displaced more than 840,000 people inside Sudan. Over 220,000 refugees and refugee returnees have fled the country, with many Sudanese escaping to Chad and Egypt, and South Sudanese refugees returning home in adverse conditions. Without an urgent resolution, many more will be forced to flee in search of safety and basic assistance.

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