The Government of Switzerland contributes more than one million US dollars to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund in 2014

KHARTOUM, Sudan, November 27, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- To help address growing humanitarian needs in Sudan, the Government of Switzerland has contributed an additionalUS $523,013 to the Sudan Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF), making the total Swiss contribution to the CHF US $1,092,916 in 2014.

“Taking into consideration the fact that the number of people in need remains at a very high level, Switzerland decided to release still before the end 2014 a second contribution to the CHF in order to help for appropriate and well-coordinated humanitarian response,”said the Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Martin Strub.

Switzerland's second allocation for 2014 comes at a time where humanitarian agencies are addressing critical needs of affected people across Sudan. Since the beginning of 2014, armed conflict has left 430,000 people newly displaced in Darfur. Moreover, many parts of Sudan are facing alarming levels of malnutrition, particularly affecting children under five. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to over 105,000 people crossing the border into Sudan.

“A second Swiss allocation to the CHF helps agencies continue projects that address pressing and critical humanitarian needs in Sudan,” said Ali Al-Za'tari, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. “This funding will benefit those who are most vulnerable, such as women and children, for whom healthcare and other life-saving assistance is often lacking.”

This year, the Sudan CHF has received support from Denmark, Ireland,the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The UK, Norway and Switzerland have provided second allocations, bringing cumulative contributions in 2014 to US $58 million.