Scotland Pledges £375,000 to Support Crisis in Sudan
The Scottish Government has taken a bold step to support one of the world’s most severe yet underreported humanitarian crises. A £375,000 pledge has been announced to provide life-saving aid to the 30 million people affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, a region ravaged by war, famine, and gender-based violence since April 2023.
With the world’s attention often diverted to more high-profile crises, Sudan’s situation has been left to deteriorate in the shadows. By offering financial support through Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), the Scottish Government is taking action to address this tragic reality. While this funding won't solve all of Sudan's problems, it demonstrates Scotland's ongoing commitment to global citizenship and humanitarian support.
Since April 2023, Sudan has faced relentless conflict, displacing 11.5 million people and claiming an estimated 150,000 lives. The crisis has been labelled one of the largest displacement emergencies in recent history by the United Nations. People have fled their homes, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries like South Sudan and Chad, while those who remain face extreme poverty, food insecurity, and gender-based violence.
Despite the staggering scale of this disaster, Sudan has received limited global attention. Media coverage has focused on other global conflicts, leaving Sudan’s suffering in the shadows. The international community’s slow response has intensified the need for direct humanitarian support.
The Scottish Government’s funding will be channelled through its Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), which supports aid organisations like Christian Aid, Tearfund, and Islamic Relief. The initiative aims to deliver essential services in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad, ensuring resources reach the people who need them most. Here’s how the money will be used:
Christian Aid
Cash assistance for 5,270 displaced people in Wedweil settlement camps and nearby communities.
Programmes to combat gender-based violence among 3,000 vulnerable individuals.
Tearfund
Support for 1,500 displaced households at Zabout Camp in Chad.
Food security initiatives and basic needs provision.
Women's empowerment and peacebuilding initiatives to promote stability and inclusion.
Islamic Relief
Cash assistance and hygiene kits for 2,400 displaced people in Gedaref state, Sudan.
Targeted support for 120 disabled individuals, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind.
This strategy goes beyond the provision of food and shelter. It also addresses long-term well-being by empowering women, promoting peace, and enhancing financial independence through cash-based assistance. This model allows recipients to choose what essentials they buy, giving them dignity and autonomy over their lives.
The method of delivering cash-based support is a significant shift in humanitarian aid. Traditionally, aid organisations would provide food, shelter, and medical supplies directly to those in need. However, the cash-based approach puts money directly into the hands of displaced individuals, allowing them to buy what they need most, whether it’s food, medication, or hygiene products.
This approach offers several benefits:
Flexibility: Each household can prioritise what is most urgent for them.
Efficiency: It reduces administrative costs for aid organisations.
Dignity: People retain a sense of control over their lives.
Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland, highlighted the power of this approach:
“This funding will allow our local partner to distribute cash grants – this means people, who’ve often arrived with only the clothes they’re wearing, can buy essentials like food or medicines. Importantly this provides a ray of hope during a bleak time.”
This funding pledge is part of a broader effort by the Scottish Government to address global emergencies. Through its International Development commitment and the Humanitarian Emergency Fund, Scotland aims to offer rapid support in times of crisis.
The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) has proven its impact in previous crises, working with major aid organisations like the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children, and others. These partnerships ensure that aid is delivered efficiently and to the communities that need it most.
The announcement of this funding follows other humanitarian efforts by Scotland, such as support for those affected by natural disasters and conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria. It shows Scotland's desire to play a proactive role on the world stage, despite being a small nation.
Critics may question whether Scotland’s £375,000 pledge is enough to make a tangible difference in a crisis as vast as Sudan’s. After all, the scale of the crisis, with 30 million people affected, is immense. However, the impact of even a modest contribution can be profound.
By focusing on cash grants and gender-based violence prevention, the Scottish Government is targeting two of the most critical areas of need. The crisis in Sudan is a humanitarian emergency of historic proportions, and every effort counts.
Another positive element is the multi-agency approach, with three key aid organisations, Christian Aid, Tearfund, and Islamic Relief, each playing distinct roles. This approach reduces the risk of duplication and maximises the impact of the funding.
While £375,000 is significant, it raises a wider question about the role of wealthy nations in supporting global crises. Sudan’s displacement crisis has been described as one of the most underfunded emergencies globally, despite the number of people affected.
The United Nations has repeatedly called on wealthy nations to contribute more to Sudan’s humanitarian relief fund. Critics argue that more funding is needed, not just from Scotland but from the UK Government, the European Union, and other global powers.
First Minister John Swinney has made it clear that Scotland stands ready to do its part. He said:
“As a responsible global citizen, Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sudan during this dark chapter in their country’s history.”
However, the burden cannot be Scotland's alone. As Sudan's situation worsens, the pressure will increase on wealthier countries to offer sustained and ongoing support.
The Scottish Government’s decision to pledge £375,000 in humanitarian aid to Sudan is a commendable move that reflects Scotland's role as a compassionate global citizen. While the funding may seem small compared to the scale of the crisis, its focus on cash support, gender-based violence prevention, and women’s empowerment is likely to have a lasting impact on those it reaches.
By partnering with established charities like Christian Aid, Tearfund, and Islamic Relief, Scotland is ensuring the money is spent efficiently and in ways that support human dignity. Critics may say it’s not enough, but for the displaced families in Wedweil Camp, Zabout Camp, and Gedaref, the chance to access cash and essential hygiene products may mean the difference between survival and suffering.
