UN Warns of Imminent Catastrophic Hunger Crisis in Sudan
Millions at Risk
The United Nations has issued a dire warning, stating that nearly five million people in Sudan are teetering on the brink of catastrophic hunger crisis in the coming months. This alarming situation has been attributed to a multitude of factors, including the ongoing conflict’s devastating impact on agricultural activities, severe damage to vital infrastructure, disruptions in trade, exorbitant price hikes, hindrances to humanitarian access, and the mass displacement of populations.
Urgent Humanitarian Assistance Needed
In a briefing to the UN Security Council, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and unfettered access to basic necessities to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. He stressed that without immediate intervention, approximately five million individuals in certain regions of Sudan could plunge into severe food insecurity. Griffiths underscored the critical importance of cross-border aid delivery from Chad to Darfur, labeling it as a lifeline for vulnerable communities.
Malnutrition Crisis
Griffiths highlighted the grim reality that nearly 730,000 Sudanese children, with over 240,000 located in Darfur alone, are suffering from severe malnutrition. He noted an unprecedented surge in the treatment of severe wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition, particularly in accessible areas.
Escalating Conflict and Displacement
The conflict, which erupted last April between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) under General Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties. Moreover, a staggering 8.3 million people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Chad and South Sudan.
Obstacles to Aid
The UN has decried the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid by warring factions, labeling it as a potential war crime. Despite calls for a ceasefire, efforts have been thwarted, with the SAF rejecting proposed truces unless the RSF withdraws from territories under its control.
Call for International Support
Griffiths emphasized the urgent need to enhance humanitarian aid access in Sudan, irrespective of ceasefire negotiations. With half of Sudan’s 50 million population in need of aid and nearly 18 million individuals facing famine-like conditions, international support is imperative. Regrettably, the UN’s humanitarian response plan for Sudan in 2024 remains significantly underfunded, with only 4 percent of the required $2.7 billion secured.
In conclusion, the situation in Sudan demands immediate action and concerted international efforts to prevent a catastrophic humanitarian crisis from unfolding.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The aljazeera
