09. Aug. 2024
Escalating conflict has pushed Sudan to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe, with the threat of famine looming. As the first Danish foundation, Grundfos Foundation is supporting UNICEF's humanitarian efforts in this hard-hit country in Northeast Africa.

The past 15 months of conflict, displacement and humanitarian access constraints have resulted in unprecedented needs for food and other humanitarian aid in Sudan. Now, the Grundfos Foundation is taking the lead by donating DKK 1.5 million to support UNICEF’s efforts to help children and families.

On 10 July 2024, health workers from a mobile clinic screen children and pregnant women for malnutrition at Minah Al Berih shelter now home to displaced families in Gedaref state.The families have fled recent clashes in Sinja, Sennar state. An estimated 50,000 people have already arrived in Gedaref localities with many more expected to arrive. Many have been displaced more than once since the war started in April 2023. UNICEF and partners are responding to the needs of the new displaced communities including supplying water, hygiene kits, soap water purification tablets and constructing temporary toilets. Providing psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification, identifying, and registering unaccompanied minors, creating safe learning spaces for children to play and formulate routines. Families have also received tarpaulins for the much-needed shelter from the scorching sun.

Through mobile clinics, UNICEF and partners are providing immunizations, ‘Find and Treat’ assistance, combining nutrition and health services, including MUAC screening and treatment. Photo: UNICEF/Osman Rajab

The donation comes at a critical time with an estimated 730,000 children projected to suffer life-threatening malnutrition this year. Famine has already been confirmed in Zamzam, a camp sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people in North Darfur. Given the situation there are risks that famine other parts of the country could also face famine. It is the first determination of famine in more than seven years.

“These people are already fleeing from war and persecution. It’s a catastrophe that calls for urgent action from the international community to save lives. We are therefore pleased that, through UNICEF, we can help ensure that aid reaches those in need quickly.“
Kim Nøhr Skibsted, CEO, Grundfos Foundationn

The donation is part of the Grundfos Foundation and UNICEF’s disaster partnership, which provides UNICEF the opportunity to request support from the foundation with 24 hours’ notice for both urgent and ongoing conflicts and disasters.

”This generous donation is a huge vote of confidence from the Grundfos Foundation, which makes me both happy and proud. Our partnership is so important for UNICEF to be able to help in places where the needs are greatest, even if the media and public attention isn’t focused there. With the uncompromising support of the Grundfos Foundation, we can act quickly and help thousands of children who are innocent victims of the tragic situation Sudan”, siger Susanne Dahl, generalsekretær i UNICEF Danmark.

In 2024, UNICEF’s efforts in Sudan have, among other things, provided 5.2 million children and families with clean drinking water, critical health supplies to 3.3 million people, and nearly 2.8 million children have been screened for malnutrition, with over 133,600 receiving life-saving treatment.

With continued conflict and the uncertain situation in Sudan, the need for humanitarian support remains enormous. UNICEF and other organizations are urging the international community to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan and use every diplomatic tool available to bring about an immediate ceasefire

During the IYCF sessions, Mohammed educates mothers on proper feeding practices for children under five years including breastfeeding to protect them from malnutrition and screens children for malnutrition using the MUAC tapes. Health workers and volunteers such as Mohammed are the backbone of the No Time to Waste nutrition programme implemented by Patient Heling Fund with UNICEF support and funding from the Netherlands Government. The programme aims at preventing malnutrition among children under five years.

Using a complementary bowl and spoon, a UNICEF innovation, Mohammed a nutrition counsellor educates a mother on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) at Alamara Health Centre, Kassala State. Photo: Unicef/Ahmed Mohamdeen Elfatih