Iceland pledges support to humanitarian efforts in Sudan

Iceland will provide 140 million ISK over the next two years in support of humanitarian relief efforts in Sudan. Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary, announced this new pledge at an international humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries in Paris yesterday, hosted by France, Germany and the European Commission. 

"The people of Sudan have suffered unimaginable horrors in the past year. Millions of people have been displaced and famine is looming. Reports of sexual violence, indiscriminate and ethnic-based attacks across conflict hotspots are deeply disturbing. Iceland calls for an urgent ceasefire, respect for international humanitarian law and unhindered humanitarian access," says Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir.

According to the United Nations, more than half of the Sudanese population, over 25 million people, are in need of humanitarian aid, close to half of which are children. Eighteen million people are on the verge of famine, ten million more than one year ago. Over eight million have been forcibly displaced, mostly women and children.

Iceland’s contribution of 140 million ISK will be channelled through OCHA’s Sudan Humanitarian Fund and the World Food Programme, over a two-year period.