UN Warns of Worsening Crisis in Sudan as International Donors Pledge $1.5 Billion in Aid

International donors committed nearly $1.5 billion to Sudan on Monday to alleviate its deepening humanitarian crisis, as the United Nations warned of a growing emergency in the African nation. Sudan has been grappling with severe internal conflict for over two months, pitting the military against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and causing over 3,000 deaths, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. The ongoing strife has taken a toll on Sudan’s already fragile infrastructure and triggered ethnic violence in the Darfur region.

The pledged aid follows a meeting sponsored by the UN and co-hosted by Egypt, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union in Geneva, Switzerland. Before the gathering, the UN’s emergency aid program for Sudan had secured less than 17% of the necessary $3 billion, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Notable pledges included $50 million from Qatar, nearly $219 million from Germany, and $171 million from the US.

However, it remains uncertain whether Saudi Arabia and Egypt, both crucial mediators in the conflict, will contribute further financial aid. International aid group Mercy Corps expressed concern that the pledged $1.5 billion falls short of the total required aid of $3 billion.