30.4 million in Sudan requiring humanitarian aid: UN report

A staggering 30.4 million people in Sudan - approximately 64 percent of the population - are in need of humanitarian assistance humanitarian assistance in 2025, according to a report released on Wednesday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This represents a sharp 23 percent increase from the 24.8 million people recorded in its previous report, due to the escalating armed conflict and limited humanitarian access, said the UN agency.

Of all in distress, around 16 million are minors, the report revealed.

Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 is seeking 4.2 billion U.S. dollars to provide aid and protection to some 21 million most vulnerable people, said the report.

The areas most acutely affected include the western states of South Darfur and North Darfur, Gezira State in central Sudan, and Sudan's capital Khartoum, where a combined 11.4 million people are in urgent need of essentials like food, water, and healthcare, according to the report.

The humanitarian emergency in Sudan stems from the violent clashes that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). More regions were involved after the violence spread. The protracted conflict has claimed the lives of an estimated 28,700 Sudanese and displaced around 12.3 million people.

30.4 million in Sudan requiring humanitarian aid: UN report

30.4 million in Sudan requiring humanitarian aid: UN report

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a delegation from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Portugal led by Hugo Soares, the secretary-general and the parliamentary leader of the party, in Beijing on Friday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal has been continuously deepened.

China is ready to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislative bodies of the two countries, promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Portugal and China-EU relations, he said.

Li also briefed the delegation on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Soares said that Portugal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries through inter-party channels.

Senior Chinese legislator meets Portugal's PSD delegation