$1.5bn funding gap hits UNHCR amid Sudan conflict

UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency, said it is facing a $1.5 billion funding gap for Sudan.

Olga Sarrado, the UNHCR spokesperson, disclosed this recently in Geneva, Switzerland.

Accordingly, Sarrado said that more than 800,000 people could flee Sudan to neighbouring countries as warring factions continue in the war-torn region, which erupted on April 15.

The number of people displaced in the last two weeks “exceeds all conflict-related displacement in Sudan in 2022.

“Roughly 240,000 of these new internal displacements were reported in West and South Darfur alone.”

Meanwhile, the UN said its 2023 aid appeals for Sudan were $1.5 billion short and only 14 per cent funded.

“The $1.75 billion joint request for Sudan in 2023 is only 14 per cent funded. In other words (UNHCR) is facing a funding gap of $1.5 billion,” Sarrado said.

While controversy surrounds evacuating 5,500 Nigerians stranded in the region despite $1.2 million approved funds, other nations continued evacuating their Nationals.