Sudan’s Hunger Crisis Deepens Amidst Conflict and Global Disruptions BODY: Khartoum, Sudan – The World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm on Sudan’s escalating hunger crisis, with nearly 19. 5 million people facing acute food insecurity. This figure includes over 100,000 people in the highest level of famine-like conditions, according to WFP’s acting executive director, Carl Skau.
The crisis is a result of the ongoing civil conflict, which has disrupted agricultural activities and access to food.
The situation is further compounded by the global disruption caused by the Iran war, which has driven up agricultural costs and disrupted food supplies. Skau emphasized that around five million people in Sudan are facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.
The WFP has reported that recent fighting around el — Obeid in North Kordofan has raised fears of a repeat of the dire situation in el-Fasher, Darfur, where conflict and siege conditions trapped civilians and hindered aid deliveries. Despite some easing of violence around el-Obeid, raising hopes for expanded aid deliveries, the WFP is increasingly concerned about renewed fighting in Darfur, which has forced the closure of the Tine border crossing, a key route for aid into the region.
The WFP has reduced the number of people it assists from five million a year ago to about 3. 5 million, and has had to reduce rations in many areas due to a $646 million funding gap after cuts from major donors, including the United States, European countries, and Britain. Skau warned that soaring diesel prices and fertiliser shortages linked to conflict in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could further undermine Sudan’s food security during the current planting season.
Sudan relies heavily on fertiliser imports from Gulf countries, while much of its agriculture depends on irrigation pumps, which may be too expensive for farmers to run.
The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced millions and devastated much of the country, with aid agencies repeatedly warning of worsening food insecurity and limited humanitarian access.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters
