The United States has announced more than 47 million dollars in humanitarian assistance for the emergency response in Sudan and neighboring countries, including Chad and South Sudan.
Assistant Secretary Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Julieta Valls Noyes who made the disclosure during a Press Briefing on Tuesday said the announcement was made when she made a visit to Ethiopia and Chad last week.
She added that this amount of money brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for people in Sudan and neighboring countries to more than $968 million since last fiscal year making the United States the leading humanitarian donor to the Sudan emergency response.
“Now, we are committed to working with other members of the international community to help alleviate the suffering of over 1 million refugees forced to flee their homes due to violence, with more arriving daily, as I saw during my visit”, she said.
The Assistant Secretary explained that both the Ethiopia and Chad are regional leaders, playing essential roles in the Sudan response and broader humanitarian efforts. “Since early 2023, Ethiopia has welcomed nearly 50,000 refugees from Sudan.
“At a time of great instability in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia’s support for displaced populations remains absolutely critical. While I was in Ethiopia, I met with senior govt officials to discuss humanitarian response to the crisis in Sudan”.
Noyes said further that Ethiopian Government has worked closely with humanitarian actors to establish new refugee sites and provide essential, life- saving aid to the tens of thousands of new refugee arrivals.
“Their support for Sudanese people escaping violence in their country is invaluable. I also visited urban refugee center in Addis Ababa, operated by PRM partner Jesuit Refugee Services, where I spoke with refugees in the center’s classrooms and recreational facilities.
“Sites like that one provide opportunities, particularly for young refugees, to learn English, gain vocational skills, and express themselves through art and music. Support, made possible via U.S. and international donor contributions, advances refugee resilience and helps new arrivals integrate into their new communities”.
The Assistant Secretary on behalf of United States expressed deep appreciation for the generosity of the people and the Government of Chad throughout their long history as a refugee host country who embrace immense challenge of welcoming over half a million refugees and over 100,000 returnees in less than a year.
She promised that United States remain steadfastly committed to supporting vulnerable people in Chad, in particular the over 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers. Supported programs, made possible by the $47 million announced.
She revealed that $18 million of which will go to programs in Chad, adding that those programs will support the people, the funds will support protection, shelter, water and sanitation, education, and more, for refugees, host communities, and others affected by the crisis in Sudan.
Reflecting on the one unique feature of the Sudan emergency which is that women and children represent some 90 percent of the more than 550,000 refugees who have arrived in Chad since the beginning of the Sudan conflict in April of last year.
“To address the long-lasting impact of mental health distress experienced by gender-based violence survivors, our partners in Chad are working to integrate mental health support throughout their programs, but resources are very limited, and the needs are overwhelming.
“I was personally devastated to hear from so many survivors of gender-based violence who remain profoundly traumatized by their experiences”, she said.
Revealed further that as the conflict in Sudan shows little sign of abating, the United States will continue to prioritize needs of Sudanese refugees across the region, particularly in Chad, where the burden is especially acute and the host government is struggling to meet the basic needs of its own citizens.
“Now, no one country or organization can meet these historic needs alone. In Chad, I called on other donors to help alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and over 1 million refugees forced to leave their homes due to violence and the communities that host them”.
On behalf of the United States, she called on all parties to the Sudan conflict to end hostilities immediately. “We urge parties to find a peaceful resolution that promotes the safety, resilience of impacted communities and allows for the return of forcibly displaced individuals and families.
“Meanwhile, we also call for unhindered humanitarian access, including both cross-line and cross-border access from multiple points of entry to the most devastated areas in Sudan.
The Assistant Secretary reiterated United States gratitude to the governments and people of Chad and Ethiopia for their leadership as they continue to welcome refugees fleeing violence in Sudan and beyond.
She said, “Specific to the Sudan emergency, preventing famine and long-term catastrophe will require both a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.
“We in the United States are committed to work with the governments of Ethiopia and Chad, and with international and local partners, to provide life-saving support to the millions of people affected by the devastating conflict in Sudan”.