UNICEF UK is working urgently to provide aid to children after the Government of Sudan suspended 16 non-governmental aid organisations. This suspension may have a devastating effect across the country causing major disruptions to the water, sanitation, health care and nutrition for hundreds of thousands of children.
UNICEF UK has already made provisions for the area of Darfur, where nearly 3 million people have been displaced from their homes over the last four years. Any disruption to health and food services could have serious consequences for the 1.5million children in Darfur, particularly with the annual flood season starting in May.
The departure of non-governmental aid organisations will severely hamper attempts in minimise cholera outbreaks, with UNICEF requiring US$23 million to help sustain the most critical needs through to June 2009.
UNICEF UK does not have the capacity or resources to implement all of the programmes in the long-term that would have been provided by the suspended aid organisations, but have stepped in ensure services are met wherever possible for the coming weeks.
