Concern cash distribution targets hard-to-reach families in Sudan

Sudan is currently experiencing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis with over 30.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 9.6 million forced from their homes because of the fighting which erupted in April, 2023.  Hunger and disease are widespread with 3.7 million children aged under-five and pregnant and breastfeeding women acutely malnourished.

“Providing direct cash assistance to families is the most practical approach, given the huge challenges which humanitarian organisations are facing in Sudan,” Concern’s regional director for the Horn of Africa, Amina Abdulla, explained. 

“Many places are very difficult to access as they are remote, or they are in active conflict areas. Blockades in parts of the country mean humanitarian supplies cannot get through.  But local traders are managing to get access, and markets are continuing to operate.  Cash gives families the chance to make their own decisions regarding their priorities, whether that is food, healthcare, shelter materials or other needs.”

 “Our team are working in extremely difficult circumstances. The on-going insecurity is the greatest challenge, both for our staff and communities in need of assistance,” Ms Abdulla said. 

The cash distribution took place in recent weeks, financed by the US State Department, ECHO and EU development funding. 

The cash distribution is just part of Concern’s humanitarian response to the crisis in Sudan. The organisation continues to deliver emergency healthcare, cholera response prevention, nutrition programming, water and sanitation, livelihoods support, hygiene and shelter non-food items. It is also supporting 65 health facilities. 

Concern supported almost 480,000 people during the first 10 months of this year.

“Given the continuing insecurity, it’s a matter of taking advantage of windows of opportunity when they occur to deliver our services,” Ms Abdulla said. “Our priority is to work in hard-to-reach locations and with the most at-risk communities.”

Concern has delivered 56 metric tonnes of pharmaceuticals and equipment to health facilities this year, operated four mobile health teams and mobilised three emergency response teams, in addition to supporting agricultural training, inputs, and village savings and loan associations to support livelihoods. 

Concern’s lifesaving work in Sudan has been made possible by support from Irish Aid, the European Union, the United States Government, the World Food Programme, UNICEF, UN OCHA, and donations from the general public. 

For media queries or interview requests contact Eamon Timmins, Media Relations Manager, Concern Worldwide, at eamon.timmins@concern.net or 00 353 87 9880524