UN struggles to shelter millions fleeing Sudan war
UN agencies can only reach 10% of 15.4 million people needing emergency shelter due to funding shortages.
Millions of people fleeing Sudan's devastating conflict face a lack of shelter, the United Nations warned Friday. The UN estimates 15.4 million people need emergency shelter and essential household items after more than three years of civil war. However, UN agencies have only been able to assist 10% of those in need due to funding shortages.
Mohamed Refaat, the International Organization for Migration's chief of mission in Sudan, stated that they could only reach 900,000 people. The war, which began in April 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces and the regular army, has caused over 200,000 deaths and triggered massive hunger and displacement crises. Around 8.6 million people remain displaced within Sudan.
Refaat reported that the UN agency had distributed over 40,000 tents since the start of the year. "But our warehouses are completely empty now," he told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Khartoum. Millions have fled across borders, and many who returned found their homes and essential services damaged or destroyed.
Why it mattersMillions of Sudanese civilians displaced by war lack shelter and essential household items because aid agencies cannot reach them due to funding shortages.