On Monday 15 April, the European Commission announced that it would be allocating €355 million to humanitarian aid and development projects in Sudan, which has been torn apart by a bloody conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
A further €541 million has been pledged by European Union Member States, bringing the total EU financial commitment made at the international conference held in Paris on Monday (see EUROPE 13391/2) to €896 million.
The European funds will be channelled to Sudan and neighbouring countries via humanitarian organisations, including the United Nations, said the Commission’s chief spokesperson, Eric Mamer, on Tuesday, without giving further details.
”EU aid will provide communities with health and nutritional care, food assistance, water and sanitation, shelter, protection and education to the most vulnerable households - internally displaced, refugee families and host communities,” explained the Commission in a statement on Monday.
It is estimated that almost 25 million people need help. Sexual violence and ethnic massacres have plunged Sudan into chaos and neighbouring countries are facing a massive influx of refugees (see EUROPE 13387/14).
“With today’s pledge of €896 million, the EU shows its determination to stand by the Sudanese people. Our priority continues to be the implementation of a ceasefire and the passage of humanitarian aid”, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Monday. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)