2008 UN and Partners Work Plan for Sudan launched today

US$2.29 billion needed for Humanitarian & Recovery assistance

(Geneva, 11 December): Sudan requires more than US$2.29 billion for humanitarian, early recovery and development projects in 2008. With 20 percent already secured the total net requested is US$1.84 billion to implement a total of 959 projects across twelve sectors.

The conflict in Darfur continues to pose huge challenges for the humanitarian community while the shift to early recovery and development projects in the rest of the country results in Sudan needing increased funding in 2008. The UN and Partners Work Plan for Sudan launched jointly today at the UN in Geneva by the country's Special Representative to the Secretary-General Ashraf Qazi and representatives from Sudan's Government of National Unity calls for continued commitment to alleviate suffering for the most vulnerable and enable early recovery and development efforts to take root.

Sudan still ranks as the largest humanitarian operation for the United Nations representing a significant slice - US$1.18 billion - of the US$3.8 billion appealed by the Emergency Relief Coordinator less than twenty four hours ago for humanitarian assistance worldwide next year.

Over four million people have been affected by the conflict in Darfur and the majority of the 2.39 million displaced persons are entirely dependant upon direct food aid for survival. Overall in Sudan, an estimated 24 percent of the population is undernourished while 30 percent are without access to safe drinking water. There are currently 5.4 million internally displaced persons in Sudan, representing 14 percent of the population with some having been displaced for 20 years or more.

"We are facing important milestones in Sudan, which require an urgent commitment. Three years after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) progress towards a sustainable peace continues with the first post-conflict census and elections. There are unique opportunities for tangible peace benefits for all of Sudan," said Ameerah Haq, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan.

UN and partners have committed to have an equal focus between humanitarian and development requirements. "Our challenge is to continue to assist life saving activities in Darfur while ensuring resources for early recovery and developmental activities in the whole of Sudan," added Ameerah Haq. "We must continue to invest in Sudan to ensure a smooth transition from a conflict-affected nation to one capable of providing for the needs of its population."

In 2007 the Work Plan was 70 percent funded enabling humanitarian assistance, recovery and development activities to continue.

The full document is available at: http://www.unsudanig.org/workplan/

For further information, please call: Orla Clinton, OCHA Sudan, +249-1-912-174-454; Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570.