Caritas Australia yesterday marked the one year anniversary of the civil war between armed militias in Sudan, calling on the Albanese Government to help improve aid access for the impoverished nation.
Since April 15, 2023, Caritas said, 13,900 people have lost their lives in Sudan with more than 8 million people displaced. About half of the population – 25 million people including 14 million children – now need humanitarian aid and protection assistance.
Kirsty Robertson, CEO of Caritas Australia, said the “outlook is dire for displaced people in and around Sudan, especially women and girls”.
“As such, we continue to call on our Government to undertake diplomatic action to improve aid access through agreed humanitarian corridors or a ceasefire,” Ms Robertson said.
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has also called on the Australian Government to provide $50 million in new and additional funding to the humanitarian catastrophe occurring in Sudan and the region.
In a release, ACFID noted that “Australia’s peers have recognised the urgency and scale of this crisis. The European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany having all committed more than $160m each to the Sudan response, compared to Australia’s $20.45 million to date.”
In a recent statement, the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference also raised concerns “the international community has forgotten the Sudan crisis”.
Since conflict broke out, Caritas partners have been working to support displaced people and their host communities with food and multipurpose cash assistance, shelter, psychosocial support, hygiene services, and gender-based violence protection.
“We do take solace in the breadth of our partner network in the region, many of whom have years if not decades of experience there,” Ms Roberson said.
“Their tireless work ensures the generosity of our supporters here in Australia is felt by the people across the region.”
To support Caritas Australia’s Sudan Crisis Appeal, visit www.caritas.org.au/sudan.
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Caritas Australia echoes calls for more Sudan funding as a year of conflict passes (Caritas Australia)
