Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-17 07:43:48
On March 16, 2024, the United Nations issued a stark warning that nearly five million people in Sudan are facing the threat of “catastrophic” hunger in the near future. The UN’s emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, briefed the UN Security Council on the dire situation, highlighting that the acute levels of hunger are a result of the ongoing conflict, economic crisis, and displacements in the country.
Griffiths emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and access to basic commodities to prevent a potential crisis where millions of people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity. He called on the warring parties in Sudan to allow aid deliveries and ensure the protection of civilians, particularly in West and Central Darfur where famine conditions could emerge with the worsening security situation.
The UN official raised concerns about the high number of Sudanese children, with nearly 730,000 suffering from severe malnutrition, including over 240,000 in Darfur alone. He noted an alarming increase in cases of severe wasting, the most lethal form of malnutrition, in accessible areas, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Since the conflict erupted in Sudan in mid-April the previous year, around 8.3 million people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Chad and South Sudan. Tragically, tens of thousands of lives have already been lost as a result of the violence, according to the latest UN statistics.
Despite calls from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire coinciding with the start of Ramadan, the Sudanese army (SAF) has rejected the proposal, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Griffiths urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize humanitarian access and ensure the well-being of the affected population.
Approximately half of Sudan’s 50 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, highlighting the widespread impact of the crisis across the country. In response to the escalating situation, the UN launched an appeal for $2.7 billion as part of the humanitarian response plan for Sudan in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for international support to address the growing humanitarian needs.
As the situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, the UN’s warning serves as a reminder of the critical need for immediate action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and ensure the well-being of millions of vulnerable individuals in the country.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
