Hand holding money ./PHOTO; Concern Worldwide,
More than 27,000 people living in hard-to-reach parts of Sudan have received €1.73 million in cash assistance from Concern Worldwide, as the country continues to face the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
The cash transfer, completed in recent weeks, reached families in areas severely affected by insecurity, displacement, and restricted humanitarian access.
The initiative was financed by the United States State Department, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and European Union development funding.
Since fighting erupted in April 2023, Sudan has experienced widespread violence, triggering mass displacement and growing humanitarian needs.
An estimated 30.4 million people now require humanitarian assistance, while 9.6 million have been forced from their homes.
Hunger and disease remain widespread, with 3.7 million children under the age of five, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, suffering from acute malnutrition.
Cash-based assistance has emerged as one of the most practical solutions under these conditions. Amina Abdulla, Concern’s Regional Director for the Horn of Africa, explained:
“Providing direct cash assistance to families is the most practical approach, given the huge challenges which humanitarian organisations are facing in Sudan.”
She noted that access to many communities remains limited due to remoteness, active fighting, and blockades that prevent humanitarian supplies from reaching those in need.
“Cash gives families the chance to make their own decisions regarding their priorities, whether that is food, healthcare, shelter materials, or other needs,” she said.
Despite the constraints, local traders continue to reach some areas, and markets remain operational, enabling families to meet their essential needs.
Delivering Aid Amid Ongoing Insecurity
Insecurity remains the biggest obstacle for humanitarian operations in Sudan, posing risks to both aid workers and the communities they serve.
Abdulla highlighted the challenges faced by field teams:
“Our teams are working in extremely difficult circumstances. The ongoing insecurity is the greatest challenge, both for our staff and communities in need of assistance.”
Fighting, road closures, and administrative restrictions continue to disrupt aid delivery, requiring flexible and rapid responses whenever access opportunities arise.
“Given the continuing insecurity, it’s a matter of taking advantage of windows of opportunity when they occur to deliver our services,” Abdulla added.
“Our priority is to work in hard-to-reach locations and with the most at-risk communities.”
Part of a Wider Humanitarian Response
The cash transfer forms part of Concern Worldwide’s broader response to the crisis in Sudan.
In addition to cash assistance, the organisation is delivering emergency healthcare services, nutrition programmes, cholera prevention and response, water and sanitation support, hygiene promotion, livelihoods assistance, and shelter-related non-food items.
Concern currently supports 65 health facilities across Sudan.
In the first ten months of the year, nearly 480,000 people received lifesaving humanitarian assistance.
The organisation has also delivered 56 metric tonnes of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, operated four mobile health teams, and mobilised three emergency response teams.
Livelihood support includes agricultural training, provision of farming inputs, and strengthening village savings and loan associations.
Funding for Concern’s work in Sudan comes from Irish Aid, the European Union, the United States Government, the World Food Programme, UNICEF, UN OCHA, and public contributions.
About Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization dedicated to reducing suffering and addressing extreme poverty in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the organisation works in countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Concern’s programming focuses on emergency response, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihoods support, education, and advocacy.
It delivers aid through a combination of direct service delivery and capacity-building initiatives, often targeting the most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and displaced families.oncern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization dedicated to reducing suffering and addressing extreme poverty in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the organisation works in countries across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Concern’s programming focuses on emergency response, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihoods support, education, and advocacy.
It delivers aid through a combination of direct service delivery and capacity-building initiatives, often targeting the most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and displaced families.
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