New Delhi: The United Kingdom has announced a £113 million aid package to support more than 1 million people affected by the ongoing war in Sudan. The package, representing a doubling of the UK’s aid commitment to Sudan and the region this year, will provide assistance to over 600,000 people in Sudan and 700,000 people in neighboring countries who have fled the conflict, including Chad and South Sudan, a UK government press release stated.
The aid package will support UN and NGO partners in providing vital assistance, including food, cash, shelter, medical care, water, and sanitation, the release added. The assistance will also help people remain in their home regions, enabling them to return home when conditions permit.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict in Sudan, emphasizing the urgent need for increased aid to support the most vulnerable populations. Lammy stressed the critical importance of unhindered access for aid delivery, stating that starvation must not be used as a weapon of war.
“But we cannot deliver aid without access. Starvation must not be used as a weapon of war and we can only stop this famine if every border crossing and route is open, accessible and safe,” said Lammy.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with over 500,000 people in Darfur facing famine conditions. Over 11 million people are displaced, and 25 million are in desperate need of aid, with the threat of famine spreading. After 18 months of violent conflict, Sudan is grappling with the most severe humanitarian crisis of the decade.