It has been 11 months since the start of the conflict in Sudan, and now there is a looming hunger crisis that is being described as the worst in the world.
The UN World Food Programme, WFP, has observed that the country in northeast Africa is currently facing the biggest displacement crisis in the world.
The conflict between the Sudanese Army and the rival group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resulted in the death of thousands and the displacement of eight million people.
According to a recent warning from UNICEF, an astounding 14 million children are in dire need of urgent support to save their lives. There are growing concerns that the ongoing conflict could spread beyond Sudan’s borders, jeopardizing lives and stability in the surrounding region if it is not resolved.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the WFP, stated that Darfur was the biggest famine emergency two decades ago and the international community came together to address it. However, currently, the plight of Sudanese people has been overlooked. The consequences are dire, as millions of lives and the well-being of the entire region are in jeopardy.
The head of the UN’s agency spoke while in South Sudan, where she met with families who had left their homes due to violence and the deteriorating famine situation in the neighboring northern country.
Inaccessible meals.
As reported by WFP, less than 5% of people in Sudan are able to afford a complete meal.
In the midst of conflict throughout the nation, 18 million individuals are extremely lacking in food security and five million are on the brink of starvation. Due to ongoing violence and obstacles caused by conflicting groups, humanitarian aid workers are greatly limited in their ability to assist those in need, according to a warning from WFP.
The United Nations organization observed that the issue of food scarcity is not exclusive to Sudan, but instead, impacts over 25 million individuals in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad.
There is not enough emergency food aid being given by the UN agency to help the desperate communities in Sudan. Delivering humanitarian assistance has become more difficult due to the government revoking permits for truck convoys crossing borders, as reported by WFP. This has resulted in operations being suspended from Chad to Darfur.
Nine out of every ten individuals in Sudan are experiencing hunger, but many of them are in areas that aid workers cannot reach. In response, WFP has made a new and pressing plea for an end to the conflict and for all humanitarian organizations to be allowed to provide assistance to those who require it.
Not taking action will have a long-lasting impact on the region.
Since April 15th of last year, the conflict between General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo’s RSF soldiers and General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan’s army has caused fear and displacement for millions of people.
WFP reported that in South Sudan, where 600,000 individuals have sought shelter, one out of every five children in border transit centers is experiencing malnutrition.
Families have arrived in South Sudan after escaping from Sudan due to ongoing conflict.
While the number of displaced individuals is small compared to the overall population, new residents in South Sudan make up over 30% of those experiencing extremely severe levels of starvation.
Chronic underfunding
Unfortunately, WFP has faced challenges in meeting the enormity of the situation. It was revealed earlier this year that the UN organization is lacking $74 million in funding for their efforts in responding to the crisis in Sudan. Despite this, their goal is to assist 4.2 million individuals by the year 2024.
The Executive Director of WFP stated that they encountered mothers and children who have escaped danger multiple times and are now facing the threat of hunger. Failing to take action will have long-lasting effects not only on a mother’s ability to provide for her child, but also on the entire region.
Source: news.un.org
