The UN refugee agency has launched a $1.6 billion appeal to assist millions of refugees fleeing conflicts in seven countries, mainly due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) along with 123 partners has unveiled a substantial appeal for $1.6 billion aimed at providing crucial support to millions of refugees across seven nations. This initiative comes as the conflict in Sudan is nearing its fourth year, significantly affecting the humanitarian landscape in neighboring countries. The Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan for 2026 intends to deliver essential aid to approximately 5.9 million individuals who have been displaced from their homes, highlighting the escalating refugee crisis in the region.
The appeal particularly addresses the urgent needs of around 470,000 new refugees expected to enter neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. Thousands of others are also trapped in border areas, receiving only minimal assistance. The UNHCR’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Mamadou Dian Balde, emphasized that the need for humanitarian support is growing and that immediate action is necessary to provide relief to those affected by the ongoing violence and instability stemming from the Sudan conflict.
This humanitarian call to action underlines the international community's responsibility to respond to the refugee crisis, worsened by the power struggle between Sudan's national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. As global attention turns towards this pressing issue, the effectiveness of the appeal will depend on the willingness of nations and organizations to commit resources towards alleviating the plight of millions facing dire circumstances, thus highlighting the interconnected nature of global humanitarian challenges.
