A funding gap threatens services for women and girls in Sudan

6 May 2026 (PEN) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned of a $92 million funding gap that threatens the response to urgent needs in sexual and reproductive health and protection from gender-based violence in Sudan, amid continued attacks on health facilities and disruption of basic medical services.

The fund said it is requesting $129.2 million during 2026 to respond to critical needs in Sudan, but has so far received only about 29% of the required funding, threatening the ability of humanitarian programs to continue providing vital services to women and girls.

He added that the continued attacks on health facilities in Sudan continue to disrupt basic medical services and endanger the lives of patients and health workers, at a time when the health system is suffering from increasing pressure due to the ongoing war in the country.

According to a survey conducted by the Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group, led by the UN Fund, which included 285 health facilities across Sudan, only 27% of these facilities are fully operational, reflecting the declining ability of the health sector to meet increasing needs.

Last March, the fund supported 83 health facilities in 16 states, reaching 62,200 people with sexual and reproductive health services.

The Fund and its implementing partners also provided gender-based violence prevention and response services to more than 102,000 people, including psychosocial support, case management, and the provision of aid kits.

These warnings come weeks after airstrikes targeted Al-Daein Teaching Hospital on March 20 and 21, 2026, killing 70 people and putting the hospital out of service entirely.

The fund said that the closure of Al-Daein Hospital deprived women and adolescent girls in the area of ​​access to vital sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency obstetric care.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been experiencing a war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of civilians displaced and seeking refuge, widespread deterioration in health, food and education services, and increasing risks for women and children in areas of conflict and displacement.