The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the peak body for Australian humanitarian agencies today welcomes the leadership of the United Kingdom in doubling humanitarian assistance to Sudan and urges the Australian Government to do the same.
The United Kingdom has increased its humanitarian assistance to $113m GBP amid fears that Sudan’s death toll through starvation could ultimately exceed the Ethiopian Famine that, according to UN estimates, caused a million deaths between 1983 and 1985.
“The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is beyond horrific. 25 million require humanitarian assistance, millions face famine, millions more have been displaced and tens-to-hundreds of thousands of civilians have been likely killed,” said Naomi Brooks, ACFID’s Humanitarian Lead.
“The Australian Government has already made a solid contribution of $33 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan. But as conditions worsen, including rising hunger, disease and death, we call on the Government to meet the ambition demonstrated of its key ally and double its assistance”.
ACFID also welcomes comments made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy urging for the Adre border with Chad to remain open and unimpeded.
“We support the UK Government’s call for the open, accessible and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Australian Government must join with the United Kingdom on this advocacy, taking a strong, constructive role and use all diplomatic ties available with warrying parties, and those supporting them.”
”The Sudanese Australia Advocacy Network welcomes the Australian Government’s commitment of $33 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan. However, with the crisis escalating into the world’s most devastating humanitarian emergency, we urge the Australian Government to increase its support. Millions of lives are at risk, and further assistance is critical to alleviate suffering and save lives of innocent Sudanese people, “said Amad Mohammed from the Sudanese Australian Advocacy Network.
ACFID continues to call on warring parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, protect civilians and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact ACFID Media at 0401 721 064 or at media@acfid.asn.au
Background
Sudan has been in the grips of a violent civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, with the UN continuing to voice alarm at the escalating humanitarian situation. In that time there have been findings of sexual violence, indiscriminate attacks against civilians, forced disappearances, ethnic cleansing and mass atrocities.
The death toll is likely to be much higher that United Nations estimates, with a report from the United Nations Independent Panel of Experts suggesting 15,000 civilians were killed in one city alone.
Recent research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Sudan Research Group has also identified that more than 60,000 people have died in the Khartoum region alone during the first 14 months of the war. The Sudan Research Group research found that 90% of the deaths in Khartoum were unrecorded, pointing to a potentially similar situation in other regions.
The aid & humanitarian sector is working to offer assistance and protection to affected people and communities and continues to call on all parties to cease hostilities, to uphold international law and protect civilians, including health and humanitarian aid workers.