By CHIMPREPORTS
France is set to host an international humanitarian conference for Sudan and its neighbors in Paris on April 15, 2024. France’s Ambassador to Uganda, Xavier Sticker, announced the country’s co-chairing of the conference with the European Union during an interaction with journalists in Kampala on Wednesday.
The objectives of the conference include organizing a donors’ conference for the year 2024, holding a debate on overcoming obstacles to humanitarian access in Sudan and strengthening cross-border aid, and conducting a round table to provide Sudanese civil society organizations with a platform to showcase their actions in support of civilian populations and advocacy for peace.
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, according to the United Nations. Over half of Sudan’s population, 25.7 million people, are in need of humanitarian aid, with 18 million facing acute food insecurity. Additionally, 11 million Sudanese and third-country nationals have been displaced, including 1.8 million seeking refuge in neighboring states.
Despite international humanitarian responses being underfunded, the United Nations has requested an additional $2.7 billion for Sudan and $1.4 billion for the region in 2024. However, aid delivery is being obstructed by warring parties, despite commitments made in November 2023 in Jeddah.
France, in collaboration with the European Commission and Germany, is intensifying humanitarian action for Sudan and the region, aiming to take effective action in Africa, supporting African initiatives within a European framework. The European Union and its Member States have allocated €500 million in humanitarian aid, representing a third of the international contribution. Furthermore, France has provided bilateral support amounting to 55 million euros in 2023 for Sudan.
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