Sudan Humanitarian Fund Dashboard 2023 - Quarterly Update (January - August 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

Allocations and Contributions In response to the crisis that began on April 15, 2023, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) has awarded grants totaling $48.6 million. Of this amount, $3 million was allocated through reprogramming grants approved just before April 15 and implemented from May onwards, while $45 million was provided through a new allocation. For this fresh allocation, operations for approximately half of the funds began in June, with the remaining half commencing the following month. This swift response would not have been achievable without the generous contributions of donors, reaching $50 million by the end of June 2023.

Additionally, emergency funding totaling over $3.4 million, which had been prepositioned through contingency lines in projects approved in 2022, was disbursed in June, July and August, bringing the total funding released to date to $52 million. An additional $1.4 million is pending submission of proposals by partners.

SHF’s Reserve

These allocations diminished the SHF's reserve to $6 million by the end of July. Further contributions made in July and August, amounting to $24 million, boosted the reserve to nearly $29 million. SHF is awaiting confirmation of additional contributions for the final quarter of 2023 to assess the available amount for a second significant allocation by year-end. Should new contributions be confirmed, the current reserve can be fully allocated, and the additional contributions can cover the needs for the first quarter of the following year. Most of the contributions for 2024 are anticipated to reach the SHF starting in April. This new end-of-year allocation would replace two-thirds of the funds from the initial 2023 allocation, which are expected to be utilized by January 2024. However, if no new contributions are received by SHF this year, a more cautious allocation approach will be required for the existing reserve to address any sudden needs that might arise over the next eight months.

Focus

The new allocation comprises four components. One component focuses on supporting civil society by allocating a $3 million grant to provide donations to Emergency Response Rooms and women's groups throughout Sudan. These informal grassroots groups, often organized by neighbourhood in major cities, are frequently the sole remaining humanitarian actors. They provide a wide range of services, including setting up soup kitchens, distributing food and medicines, establishing child-friendly spaces, offering protection-related assistance, facilitating repairs of utilities and communication networks, covering medical expenses, providing transportation, organizing hospital clean-up activities, and supplying fuel and equipment, among others. These groups are also best positioned to identify opportunities for enhancing humanitarian assistance and finding solutions. OCHA supports these groups through SHF donations and by connecting them with other humanitarian actors that can offer additional guidance and support. SHF maintains contact with other donors and manages its own reserve to ensure ongoing funding availability for these groups. Under this component, another million has been allocated to the SRCS to support its volunteers in WASH and health activities in White Nile.

A second component prepositioned $15 million in funding among 5 consortia organized by cluster. As a result, 25 NGOs have access to this funding, enabling rapid response when operational opportunities arise. This grant is well-suited for organizing activities within a short timeframe, such as covering distribution costs for humanitarian items when sudden access becomes available. Two months into the implementation period, over a third of the funds have been disbursed, with almost over half of the funds implemented by national NGOs and almost three-quarters in the Darfur and Kordofan states.

Over $21 million has been allocated through a decentralized approach. To achieve this, OCHA sub-offices facilitated meetings in eight states with fewer access challenges. These meetings were attended by NGOs and cluster focal points present in those states. During these state meetings, the SHF's available funds were allocated across the most affected localities and clusters, and the most suitable partners were selected. This transparent approach ensures that SHF funds are directed toward the most pressing needs and implemented by NGOs with the best access and expertise.

A fourth component provided funding to UNHCR and FAO ($3.5 million) to cover the procurement of NFI’s and seed distribution costs.