PARIS (AP) — A yearlong war in Sudan has devastated the country and pushed its people to the brink of famine. Top diplomats and aid groups are meeting Monday in Paris to drum up humanitarian support for the northeastern African nation to prevent further collapse and misery. Sudan descended into conflict in April last year when simmering tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere across the country. The U.N. humanitarian campaign needs some $2.7 billion this year to get food, health care and other supplies to 24 million people in Sudan – nearly half its population of 51 million. So far, funders have given only $145 million, about 5%, according to the U.N’s humanitarian office, known as OCHA. The United States and Saudi Arabia initially led efforts to find a negotiated way out of the conflict. But the efforts didn’t succeed, and since October the fighting has been overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which is threatening to expand to a broader regional conflict. |
Offering a chair to older colleague at work could count as age discrimination, judge rulesChristchurch man jailed for 14 years over role in US porn videosLatest review should 'put to bed' methane debate, minister saysIn pictures: Auckland's Ramadan Night Markets in New LynnVOX POPULI: Sudden death of Navalny shows dangers of the truth in RussiaPrincess of Wales: Data watchdog 'assessing' Kate privacy breach claimsSWAT team pulls suspect out of car after standoff in grocery store parking lotVOX POPULI: ‘Domicide’ is yet another terrible addition to the lexicon of warChinese comedy group punishment sends chills through arts sphereChina floods: Beijing records heaviest rainfall in at least 140 years