UN Appeals for $6 Billion in Aid to Alleviate Famine and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

UN Appeals for $6 Billion in Aid to Alleviate Famine and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

February 17, 2025: The United Nations announced on Monday that it is seeking $6 billion in aid from international donors to alleviate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan. According to the UN, this is one of the most devastating crises of our time, marked by widespread displacement and increasing famine.

This year’s appeal is 40 percent higher than last year’s and comes at a time when aid budgets around the world are shrinking. In particular, the funding pause announced last month by US President Donald Trump has affected life-saving programs globally.

The UN stated that these funds are urgently needed because of the impact of the 22-month-long war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has displaced one-fifth of the country’s population and caused severe hunger for nearly half of its people. The situation is expected to worsen.

“Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of shocking proportions. Famine is taking hold. An epidemic of sexual violence rages. Children are being killed and injured. The suffering is appalling,” said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher.

The UN added that famine conditions have been reported in at least five locations in Sudan, including displacement camps in Darfur, with this situation likely to worsen due to ongoing fighting and the collapse of basic services.

Some aid agencies in Sudan have reported receiving waivers from Washington to provide assistance, but uncertainty remains regarding the extent of coverage for providing famine relief.

The UN plan aims to reach nearly 21 million people within the country, making it the largest humanitarian response expected for 2025. Of the $6 billion, $4.2 billion is designated for those 21 million people, while the rest will be used for displaced individuals affected by the conflict.