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Press Release
19 March 2008
Britain to give £40 million in humanitarian aid to the Sudanese people
As Sudan faces the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, International
Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced a further £40 million in
humanitarian UK aid for those most in need.
Douglas Alexander said:
"The scale of the challenge in Sudan is immense. In Darfur alone, 2.5 million people have been displaced, 80,000 this year alone, largely as a result of the ongoing violence in West Darfur. Over 4 million people, two-thirds of the region’s population, have been affected by the conflict and rely on international assistance.
“The coming months will be crucial for humanitarian agencies to respond to needs and pre-position supplies, before the rains arrive in June and movement becomes difficult. The international community must provide early and adequate finance to sustain the massive humanitarian response needed in Darfur and in other parts of Sudan.
“That is why the British government will provide a further £40 million to the UN’s Common Humanitarian Fund for Sudan in 2008. We are channelling our funding through this mechanism as it allows the UN the greatest flexibility to target funds to where the need is greatest.
“We call on other donors to respond as generously as they can to this continuing and urgent need for humanitarian assistance.
“The UK calls on all parties to stop the horrific violence that is causing widespread displacement and humanitarian need.”
Notes to editors
1. The UK is the second largest bilateral humanitarian donor in Sudan. Since April 2004 we have contributed over £285 million in humanitarian assistance. This new pledge will take our contribution to £325 million.
2. This is the third year of operation for the Common Humanitarian Fund for Sudan. It has been set up to give the UN Humanitarian Coordinator the authority and resources to be able to meet her top priorities in the 2008 Work Plan for Sudan. It will mean she can target funds at the most critical needs, encourage early donor contributions and respond rapidly to unforeseen needs.
3. The pilot is part of a wider package of reforms to the international humanitarian system that was launched by the previous Secretary of State for International Development in a speech in December 2004. The reform agenda includes more effective mechanisms to respond to rapid onset and neglected crises at the global and local levels, strengthened Humanitarian Coordinators and better needs-based and robust country humanitarian plans.
For further information, contact Trish O'Donnell on 020 7023 0821 or 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.
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