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UN allocates $26.5m for life-saving assistance in Sudan

April 12, 2019 at 12:06 pm

People cook for demonstrators as Sudanese protestors gather in front of central military headquarters demanding a civilian transtion government, in Khartoum, Sudan on 12 April 2019. [Stringer – Anadolu Agency]

The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) yesterday allocated $26.5 million to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to Sudan, which witnessed a coup d’état against President Omar Al-Bashir following four months of popular protests calling for him to step down.

The UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, said the fund will provide food, livelihood, nutrition, health, water and sanitation assistance to more than 800,000 people affected by the worsening economic crisis and food insecurity in seven states in Sudan over the next six months.

He explained that more than 5.8 million people were food insecure between January and March, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2018.

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“The funds will help aid organisations ramp up the treatment of severe and moderate acute malnutrition among young children and pregnant women, provide safe drinking water, and repair and construct essential sanitation and hygiene facilities to mitigate preventable diseases,”  he said.

“The allocation will also boost essential medical services and maternal, child and reproductive healthcare for 320,000 people, including through the distribution of medical supplies and equipment for 65 health facilities and the training of healthcare professionals and community health volunteers,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Sudanese army overthrew President Al- Bashir and announced a two-year transitional period which will be headed by the former Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf.