The Canadian government announced yesterday, Friday, that it has pledged an additional $132.2 million in humanitarian funding to assist those displaced by the violent conflict ongoing in Sudan since last year.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, forced millions of people to flee within Sudan and to neighboring African countries, and created one of the worst hunger crises in the world.

The United Nations World Food Programme has also warned that one third of the country's population, or 18 million people, are facing acute hunger, and that five million are on
the brink of famine.

In this regard, Canadian Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, said in a press interview with the media that “the humanitarian situation in Sudan is horrific.”

The new funding includes $100.7 million in direct humanitarian assistance and $31.5 million for UN projects aimed at addressing sexual and reproductive health rights in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as gender-based violence.

Hussen also said: “Whenever there is a protracted conflict, we know that women and girls suffer disproportionately.”

He added: “We have witnessed alarming and extremely high rates of gender-based violence and sexual assaults.”

Relief agencies have reported that fighting, looting, and bureaucratic obstacles have severely hindered the delivery of aid, while the World Food Programme mentioned last week that it finally managed to deliver food to the heavily affected Darfur region after months of delays, but added that there is a continuous need for more assistance.

Although Hussen acknowledged the logistical challenges in ensuring aid reaches those in need within Sudan, he stated that road barriers were fewer in neighboring countries like South Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic that have taken in refugees.

Hussen noted that many of these countries also have limited resources that are under pressure due to the influx of Sudanese, specifically pointing to inadequate access to water in Chad.

He also said: “We are also trying to assist these host communities to become more resilient and able to continue hosting these refugees for now.”

The minister added that relief workers on the ground in Sudan who are working with Canada have been effective in delivering food and supplies to those in need despite road barriers and safety risks.

The United Nations says it has requested $2.7 billion from the international community to respond to humanitarian needs, but has only received $155 million or six percent of its request.

Hussen stated that the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, recently told him that if the World Food Programme does not receive more support for Sudan, they will simply stop providing food because they will run out of money to purchase food supplies.

He added that relief groups and other NGOs will also be involved in discussions that will not only focus on aid but also on how to resolve the conflict and hold those responsible accountable.

Canada has responded to the crisis through humanitarian assistance, pledging $170 million last year, and announced a family reunification program late last year to help bring Canadian relatives out of Sudan, but the program has stalled and faced criticism from families.