Sudan refugee response will need $445ml for rising numbers fleeing the country: UNHCR

Addis Ababa, May 4, 2023 (FBC) – The UN Refugee Agency, said today that it is planning for an outflow of 860,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan and, with partners, will require US$445 million to support the displaced until October.

The updates were made in a preliminary summary of the inter-agency Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan, which was presented to donors today. It will primarily cover immediate support in Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.

The plan has been drawn up with 134 partners including UN agencies, national and international NGOs and civil society groups.

UNHCR has been coordinating contingency planning with partners for new arrivals (refugees, returning refugees and others) to neighbouring countries.

The 860,000 figure is a preliminary projection for financial and operational planning. Of the total, some 580,000 would be Sudanese, 235,000 refugees previously hosted by Sudan returning home in adverse conditions, and 45,000 refugees of other nationalities previously hosted by Sudan. Egypt and South Sudan are expected to see the most arrivals.

The current fighting has already displaced over 330,000 people inside Sudan with a further over 100,000 refugees and returnees leaving the country.

UNHCR launched a data portal today that will update daily new numbers of refugee and returnee arrivals in neighbouring countries.