Khartoum, Jan. 23 (BNA): The Government of Japan has contributed $1.6 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support protection and assistance interventions for refugees hosted by Sudan’s White Nile State.
The Japanese contribution will benefit more than 220,000 South Sudanese refugees in the state, SUNA said in a UNHCR press release on Sunday, adding that the new funding will also benefit host community members in areas surrounding the camps.
“We are grateful to the government and people of Japan for this commitment and welcome our continued partnership to protect and assist refugees in Sudan,” said Axel Bischopp, UNHCR Representative in Sudan.
He stressed that timely funding will enable UNHCR to provide vital humanitarian assistance to refugees in White Nile state.
“It is an honor for us to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sudan through our project “Protection and Assistance for Refugees in Sudan”. The Government of Japan has always been a strong advocate and contributor to providing humanitarian and diversified assistance to refugees around the world and improving human security globally. – Helping refugees in Sudan remains one of the most important humanitarian needs in this country, and I sincerely hope that this project will contribute to improving access to basic humanitarian needs such as health and water for refugees and asylum seekers in White Nile State.The aim is to do so,” said Mr. Takashi Hattori, Ambassador of Japan to Sudan. “This project is fully consistent with our vision of promoting basic human needs and human security.”
UNHCR explained that the funding will improve health and nutritional outcomes for refugees in White Nile State by supporting community-based management of acute malnutrition services for children and pregnant and lactating women. “The funding will also seek to improve access to primary healthcare services and referrals for secondary healthcare. In addition, the WASH sector will also be targeted by providing support for the operation and maintenance of WASH facilities to increase access to safe water,” UNHCR press release said.
A UNHCR press release indicated that Sudan is the second largest country of asylum in Africa, hosting more than 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers. In 2023, UNHCR Sudan needs $396 million to deliver an effective response and provide life-saving assistance and protection.
FKN