欧美文化:UN, humanitarian partners seek 3 bln USD for Sudan crisis-related relief

UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations and its humanitarian partners seek 3 billion U.S. dollars in relief for victims of the Sudan crisis, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

The aid sought is for the millions of people needing help in Sudan and the thousands of people who fled to neighboring countries, said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"The humanitarian response plan for Sudan has been revised and requires 2.56 billion U.S. dollars, that's an increase from 800 million dollars from just a few months ago, to help 18 million people until the end of this year, making it the largest appeal ever for Sudan," Dujarric said.

In addition, the Sudan regional refugee response plan seeks 470.4 million dollars to support refugees, returnees and host communities in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, he said.

The world body is working to increase life-saving assistance for millions of people in need in Sudan, said the spokesman.

According to Dujarric, the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached more than 200,000 people with over 5,500 tons of food. The distributions under way in Al Jazirah, Gedaref, Kassala, White Nile, east and north Darfur and Red Sea states include nutrition support.

The WFP plans to expand operations into Blue Nile, Central Darfur and Northern states this week, Dujarric said.

On Tuesday, four trucks from the UN Children's Fund moved supplies from Soba to Al Jazirah, crossing conflict lines with health and nutrition supplies, including emergency health kits, he said.