On Monday, the United Nations launched a comprehensive $6 billion humanitarian aid package aimed at alleviating the devastating impact of Sudan’s ongoing civil war. The initiative includes both a Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan and a Regional Refugee Response Plan, designed to provide crucial support to millions affected by the conflict.
The plans aim to assist 30.4 million people within Sudan and an additional 4.8 million refugees in neighboring regions. Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, underscored the scale of the crisis, noting that over half of Sudan’s population—24.6 million people—are facing severe food insecurity, with famine conditions worsening in North Darfur and the eastern Nuba Mountains. Additionally, nearly 9 million people are displaced within the country.
The 2024 response follows a $2.1 billion aid effort by the UN in 2023, addressing escalating violence, poverty, and humanitarian needs. The ongoing civil war in Sudan has been described by the African Union as the “worst humanitarian crisis in the world,” with both sides of the conflict accused of committing atrocities against civilians, including summary executions and other human rights violations.
This unprecedented $6 billion package is seen as a crucial lifeline for millions suffering from the effects of the war, which has left vast swathes of the population in desperate need of aid. Human Rights Watch’s 2024 report continues to sound the alarm over the grave human rights abuses taking place, amplifying the urgent need for international support.
