Sudan: Red Cross Seeks 26.7 Million Urgently

International Federation seeks 26.7 million dollars to upscale urgent humanitarian action in Sudan

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is urgently appealing for 33.5 million Swiss francs (US$26.7m, €21.1m) to assist the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in meeting immediate and longer-term needs for 3 million beneficiaries in Africa’s largest country, deeply affected by 20 years of widespread conflict. The International Federation is also increasing its coordination activities in Sudan with all Red Cross and Red Crescent actors, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Health needs are among the most important priorities in Sudan, with a national malnutrition rate of 19 per cent, reaching nearly 40% in conflict zones and isolated areas. One in twelve mothers is at risk of dying from childbirth. There are 7.5 million cases of malaria recorded annually.

The Federation aims to improve health facilities and train new volunteers whose role is critical in a country where services are often non-existent, particularly in the rural areas of South Sudan. Malaria prevention and control activities will be scaled up and water and sanitation programmes will be increased to reduce mortality caused by water-borne diseases such as cholera.

A special community-based project targeting 1,000 street children aged between 5 and 18 in Khartoum State will aim at providing them with skills and opportunities through social support, health promotion and counselling programmes.

Another key action will be to strengthen the capacity of the Sudanese Red Crescent to carry out disaster preparedness plans and to help returnees who have had to leave their homes for other parts of the country or neighbouring countries. This includes providing them with timely and accurate information which will help people make decisions on when and how to return and improving their health and food security by supplying food and other relief items when necessary.

A further objective will be to support the Sudanese Red Crescent in explaining the mandate and values of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as an impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian actor. This has already resulted in decreased violence and obstruction in the delivery of relief to camps for internally displaced people in Darfur. The International Federation will also support the strengthening of Sudanese Red Crescent branches in Darfur and will help build their capacity.

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