UNHCR says $445 million needed due to rising numbers of people fleeing Sudan

The UN refugee agency said on Thursday it anticipates an outflow of 860,000 refugees and returnees from Sudan and that it will need $445 million from partners to sustain the displaced population until October.

The Regional Refugee Response Plan for Sudan, which is presented to donors on May 4, will primarily cover immediate support in Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic, the UNHCR said in a statement, according to A News.

The plan was developed in collaboration with 134 partners, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and civil society organizations, according to the statement.

"The humanitarian situation in and around Sudan is tragic - there are food, water and fuel shortages, limited access to transport, communications, and electricity, and skyrocketing prices of basic items," Raouf Mazou, UNHCR's assistant high commissioner for operations, said.

"UNHCR and partners have emergency teams in place and are assisting authorities with technical support, registering arrivals, carrying out protection monitoring, and strengthening reception to ensure urgent needs are met," Mazou said. "This is just a start. More help is urgently needed."

The UNHCR said the 860,000 figure is a rough estimate for financial and operational planning. Sudanese would make up around 580,000 of the total, with 235,000 refugees previously sponsored by Sudan coming home in difficult conditions and 45,000 refugees of other nationalities formerly accommodated by Sudan, it added.

Most people are likely to arrive in Egypt and South Sudan.