Geneva: The United Nations has launched an appeal for $6 billion in humanitarian aid for Sudan this year, citing one of the world’s most severe crises marked by mass displacement and worsening famine. The UN described the situation as a catastrophe of unprecedented scale, calling for urgent international assistance.
The latest funding request represents a 40% increase from last year’s appeal, coming at a time when global aid budgets are under pressure. The strain has been exacerbated by a funding halt announced last month by U.S. President Donald Trump, which has disrupted life-saving humanitarian efforts worldwide.
The 22-month war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country, displacing a fifth of its population and pushing nearly half of Sudan’s people into severe hunger. With no resolution in sight, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen.
“Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of shocking proportions,” said U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher ahead of the funding appeal. “Famine is taking hold. An epidemic of sexual violence rages. Children are being killed and injured. The suffering is appalling.”
According to the UN, famine conditions have been confirmed in at least five locations, including displacement camps in Darfur. The situation is expected to deteriorate further due to ongoing conflict and the collapse of basic services.
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One of these famine-stricken camps was attacked by RSF fighters last week, as the paramilitary force seeks to strengthen its control over Darfur.
While some aid agencies have secured waivers from Washington to continue operations in Sudan, uncertainty remains over the extent of permitted famine relief efforts.
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The UN humanitarian plan aims to assist nearly 21 million people inside Sudan, making it the most ambitious relief operation planned for 2025. Of the $6 billion requested, $4.2 billion is allocated for aid within Sudan, while the remainder will support those displaced by the ongoing conflict.
