The UN warns of a “food catastrophe” in Sudan

Hibapress

The United Nations has warned of an “unprecedented food catastrophe” in Sudan, the scene of an armed conflict that has lasted for more than a year.

“Hunger and malnutrition are spreading at an alarming rate in Sudan and, without concerted international action and funding, there is a very real risk that the situation will spiral out of control,” said the executive director of the United Nations Food Fund. childhood (UNICEF), Catherine Russell.

She warned that any delay in providing unhindered access to vulnerable populations will be measured in the loss of children’s lives.

Other UN agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) have reported that Sudan is facing the worst levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded in the country, noting that 14 localities risk experiencing famine if the war worsens between the belligerents.

“The new analysis revealed a rapid and profound deterioration in the food security situation in Sudan, putting the lives of millions of people at risk,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu was quoted as saying by the press service. of ONU. He underlined the urgency of acting collectively, with unhindered access, in the interest of millions of innocent lives at stake.

Same story with the Executive Director of the WFP, Cindy McCain, who insisted on the need for a massive expansion of humanitarian access and financing in order to be able to intensify relief operations and stop Sudan’s slide towards a humanitarian catastrophe that threatens to destabilize the entire region.

Since the start of the conflict between the paramilitary army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, more than 14,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands more injured, according to the UN. At least half of the country’s population – 25 million people – are in need of assistance, while more than 8.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including 1.8 million refugees.