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
China's ambitious "fitness for all" nationwide public health campaign and its determined drive to become a leading sporting nation are unlocking vast opportunities for sportswear businesses in the country's massive consumer market, said Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden.
Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Shanghai, Gulden said the German sportswear giant's localized approach to the Chinese market is a direct response to competition from stronger-than-ever local brands.
Under its "In China, For China" strategy, the company has delegated full product and creative control to its China team, which now designs and develops roughly half of Adidas products locally to match regional fashion trends and consumer preferences, with a shorter supply chain made possible by producing on the ground.
"Competition forces you to be better. And I'm sure that the reason why we have chosen to do 'In China, For China' model is because of competition. The old days when Adidas and all the brands were just exporting, I would say, concepts into China that were the same as in Europe and in America is over. That's why we have designers and creatives that work in China on a supply chain that is shorter because you can produce here. And that is of course to compete also against the local brands by making sure that we are better," he said.
Noting the evolution of sportswear from functional attire to everyday fashion, Gulden welcomed China's policies encouraging people to get active, saying they are bringing more consumers into the sportswear industry.
"Most sports products today are not being used for sports. They're being used as a comfort shoe or as a lifestyle item, and it's part of our life. It's very, very good that China is pushing sports more. The more people that do sports, the more importance sports get both from selling products, but also to widen the audience for sports culture products," Gulden said.
China's "fitness for all" strategy aims to get around 40 percent of the population exercising regularly by the end of the decade, backed by thousands of new and upgraded community sports facilities, expanded venue space and "15-minute fitness circles" designed to put public exercise areas within a short walk of every urban and rural resident.
China's push to become leading sports nation benefits sportswear businesses: Adidas CEO
