UN concerned that ‘donor fatigue’ is setting in for Sudan’s humanitarian crisis

The United Nations have announced concerns that South Sudan is not receiving the funding or attention it requires from international donors.

In 2017 only 46% of the humanitarian appeal for Sudan was funded, this is the first time less than half of the requested funding was provided since the start of the Darfur crisis in 2003.

Marta Ruedas, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan said:

“If it were a new crisis, the dimensions of it, the scale and the need of it, would be such that it would be one of the biggest crises in the world”

Currently, 5.5 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian support, 3.1 million of which are located in the region of Darfur. Conflict has been taking place in Darfur since 2003; however, in the last year the situation has worsened as conflicts have intensified and Sudan hosts approximately 770,000 refugees from South Sudan.

The influx of refugees has exacerbated Sudan’s humanitarian needs as the refugees require levels of support that are often not available.

Marta Ruedas added:

“The refugees coming across the border are coming in a really bad state. They require a lot of support and we’re just not getting enough…some have died reaching the border.”

The UN are appealing for $3 billion to assist the refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) in Sudan, $1.5 billion of which is to help host communities and agencies providing aid to refugees from South Sudan.

Sudan requires humanitarian support to provide food and livelihood assistance, education, water, sanitation and health services. The government reports that despite 400,00 people returning to their homes, basic infrastructure is not in place, including security and access to services.

Many of Sudans IDP’s and refugees prefer to remain in their host communities than return home.

Marta Ruedas commented:

“Some people have been in camps for nearly two decades, and we still call them displaced but really, it’s people who have been living in the same location for 10 years, 15 years,”

“Sudan has been on the books of donors – their humanitarian ledger – for so long that donor fatigue is setting in. But just because it has been going on for years doesn’t mean that the need is less”

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Photo credit: UN