The Catholic aid organisation CAFOD has welcomed a boost in financial support to Sudan, issued by the Foreign Secretary.

David Lammy said “the UK will never forget Sudan”, as his department doubles funding to £110m.

The country has been ravaged by internal conflict since a failed transition of power in April 2023, with many villages displaced. At least 500,000 in the Darfur region are estimated to be living in famine conditions.

£43.5m of the funding will support UN and NGO partners in providing food, shelter, medical supplies and financial assistance to the country.

Kayode Akintola, CAFOD’s Head of Africa Region said:

“Every day our team and local partners in Sudan deliver life-saving aid in the face of a brutal and devastating conflict… it's felt like the world's attention is elsewhere. 

“People's lives are being lost in Sudan not just from military attacks, but also from the devastating impact of overwhelmed hospitals and the lack of essential resources. Cholera has spread rapidly.

“Local groups, like the ones that CAFOD supports, are the first responders working tirelessly to support those in the most urgent need. The international community needs to act in solidarity with them.  They are the frontline keeping people alive.  We should have their back.  Aid agencies should be assessed by how effectively they support their efforts.”