ACFID Urges Australia to Double Humanitarian Aid to Sudan Following UK’s Lead
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) supports the UK’s decision to double humanitarian aid to Sudan. The UK has raised its assistance to £113 million in light of the severe crisis in Sudan, where starvation could lead to a death toll surpassing the Ethiopian Famine of the 1980s.
ACFID’s Humanitarian Lead, Naomi Brooks, described the situation in Sudan as horrific. She stated that 25 million people need aid, millions are at risk of famine, and many have been displaced. Additionally, a significant number of civilians have likely been killed.
Australia has committed $33 million to help Sudan, but ACFID urges the government to match the UK’s contribution. Brooks emphasized the need for increased support as conditions decline, revealing rising hunger, disease, and death.
ACFID applauds UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s call for the Adre border with Chad to remain open for aid delivery. ACFID urges the Australian Government to advocate for safe and accessible humanitarian aid, using diplomatic channels to engage with conflicting parties.
Amad Mohammed from the Sudanese Australian Advocacy Network acknowledged the initial $33 million aid but stressed that more support is vital as the humanitarian emergency escalates. He highlighted the risk to millions of lives, making further assistance crucial for Sudanese civilians.
How is ACFID working with the Australian Government to increase aid and support for Sudan?
Interview with Naomi Brooks, Humanitarian Lead at ACFID
Q: Naomi, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has expressed support for the UK’s decision to increase its humanitarian aid to Sudan. Can you explain why this support is crucial at this moment?
Naomi Brooks: Absolutely. The crisis in Sudan is at a catastrophic level. With 25 million people requiring urgent assistance and millions facing the threat of famine, the UK’s commitment to double their aid to £113 million highlights the gravity of the situation. This is not just about numbers; it translates to lives at stake. We applaud this decision and urge the Australian government to match this contribution to ensure we can address the immense suffering in Sudan effectively.
Q: You’ve described the situation in Sudan as horrific. What specific challenges are people facing on the ground?
Naomi Brooks: The challenges are overwhelming. Many have been displaced due to the ongoing violence, and there’s an alarming risk of famine, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. We have also seen rampant disease spread amid the chaos. Additionally, the tragic reality is that many civilians have likely lost their lives—estimates suggest significant civilian casualties, which we cannot ignore when considering our response and support.
Q: ACFID is urging the Australian Government to advocate for safe humanitarian access. Why is this so important, and what could the government do to facilitate this?
Naomi Brooks: Humanitarian access is critical for delivering aid where it’s needed most. We welcomed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s call to keep the Adre border with Chad open for aid deliveries. The Australian Government must use its diplomatic influence to encourage all conflicting parties to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian workers. We are calling for international support to ensure aid can reach those who are most vulnerable without risking the lives of aid workers.
Q: Amad Mohammed from the Sudanese Australian Advocacy Network mentioned that while the $33 million aid commitment from Australia is appreciated, more is crucial. Could you elaborate on the urgent need for increased support?
Naomi Brooks: The current commitment is a positive step, but the truth is, as conditions continue to deteriorate in Sudan, more resources are urgently needed. The magnitude of this humanitarian emergency cannot be overstated. Every day that passes without adequate support means more lives could be lost. Given the scale of the crisis, ongoing assessments suggest that substantial additional funding is essential to save lives and prevent the situation from worsening.
Q: ACFID has also called for an end to the conflict and the protection of civilians. What do you believe can be done to achieve this?
Naomi Brooks: Achieving an end to the conflict requires a concerted effort from the international community. Continued dialogue, along with pressure on all involved parties to respect international humanitarian law, is essential. We need to call for a ceasefire and prioritize civilian protection. Advocacy for peace and engagement with local and international stakeholders can create a pathway to stability, allowing humanitarian efforts to proceed without hindrance.
Q: Given the severe death toll and humanitarian needs, how does ACFID plan to engage with other organizations and governments going forward?
Naomi Brooks: We are actively collaborating with international partners, NGOs, and local communities to share information and resources effectively. Our goal is to build a coordinated response that brings much-needed assistance to Sudanese civilians. We will continue to engage with the Australian Government, emphasizing the need for increased funding and support while advocating for international action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis.
the tragedy unfolding in Sudan demands urgent attention and a unified response from the global community. We at ACFID are committed to ensuring that those affected by this crisis receive the critical support they need.
ACFID continues to call for an end to the conflict and for the protection of civilians, insisting on unimpeded humanitarian access.
Sudan has faced violent conflict since April 2023, involving the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The UN has expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis. Reports suggest far more civilian deaths than officially estimated, with findings indicating that 15,000 civilians may have been killed in a single city.
Recent research estimates over 60,000 deaths in the Khartoum region in the first 14 months of the conflict. Most deaths in Khartoum remained unrecorded, indicating a similar situation might exist elsewhere.
The humanitarian sector aims to assist affected communities and continues to call for all parties to cease hostilities and uphold international humanitarian law.