Sudan needs $147 million to help Ethiopian refugees on its territory. The information was reported on November 28 by Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

According to him, between 500 and 600 refugees cross the border between Sudan and Ethiopia every day. They are fleeing the unrest in the Tigray region between the rebels of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the regular Ethiopian army since November 4, 2020.

Filippo Grandi said Sudan currently does not have the means to help the Ethiopian refugees. The country is emerging from a period of political instability and is still trying to revive its economy, which is suffering the consequences of the mismanagement that characterized the power of former President Omar al-Bashir.

Sudan needs $147 million for six months to provide these refugees with water, shelter, and health services, he said calling on donors to provide these funds to Sudan as soon as possible. Filippo Grandi also met with the Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdullah Hamdok, to assure him of his institution's support in response to the continuous arrival of refugees from Ethiopia. 

According to the UN, no less than 43,000 Ethiopian refugees have already crossed the border into Sudan. On November 20, the UN said it needed $200 million to put in place a humanitarian assistance plan for these populations fleeing the violence.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou