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Donors at a UN conference on Monday pledged close to $1.5 billion to combat the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and help its neighbors host refugees fleeing the fighting.
Sudan is descending into death and destruction at an unprecedented speed, UN chief Antonio Guterres warned as he urged donors to step in and curb the unfolding catastrophe.
"Today, donors have announced close to $1.5 billion for the humanitarian response to Sudan and the region," the UN's humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said at the conference.
"This crisis will require sustained financial support and I hope that we can all keep Sudan at the top of our priorities."
More than two months into the fighting, the United Nations is worried the crisis could spill over and destabilize neighboring African states.
"The scale and speed of Sudan's descent into death and destruction is unprecedented," UN Secretary-General Guterres told the conference.
"Without strong international support, Sudan could quickly become a locus of lawlessness, radiating insecurity across the region."
Since April 15, the army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, after the two fell out in a power struggle.
A record 25 million people – more than half Sudan's population – are in need of aid, according to the UN.
Roughly 2.5 million people have been uprooted across Sudan by the war, which has seen 550,000 seek refuge in neighboring countries, according to UN figures.
While Griffiths highlighted donors' generosity, the amount pledged Monday was less than half of what humanitarians have said is needed this year to respond to the dire needs.
The UN has two appeals for tackling the crisis – the humanitarian response within Sudan, which needs $2.6 billion this year, and the regional refugee response set at $470 million.
Both were less than 17 percent funded going into Monday's conference.
(AFP)
