In a statement on Thursday, the Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Khartoum announced that the Government of Switzerland has contributed an additional $523,013 to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund, to help address growing humanitarian needs in Sudan. This makes the total Swiss contribution to the Fund $1,092,916 in 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaking into consideration the fact that the number of people in need remains at a very high level, Switzerland decided to release, before the end 2014, a second contribution to the CHF in order to help an appropriate and well-coordinated humanitarian response,\u201d said Swiss Ambassador Martin Strub.<\/p>\n
Switzerland\u2019s second allocation for 2014 comes at a time where humanitarian agencies are addressing critical needs of affected people across Sudan. Since the beginning of 2014, armed conflict has left 430,000 people newly displaced in Darfur. Moreover, many parts of Sudan are facing alarming levels of malnutrition, particularly affecting children under five. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to more than 105,000 people crossing the border into Sudan.<\/p>\n
\u201cA second Swiss allocation to the CHF helps agencies continue projects that address pressing and critical humanitarian needs in Sudan,\u201d said Ali Al Za\u2019tari, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. \u201cThis funding will benefit those who are most vulnerable, such as women and children, for whom healthcare and other life-saving assistance is often lacking.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, the Fund has received support from Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK. The UK, Norway and Switzerland have provided second allocations, bringing cumulative contributions in 2014 to $58 million.<\/p>\n
File photo: Swiss flag<\/em><\/p>\n