Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-08 07:03:03
Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating war that has had a profound impact on millions of lives, leading to the largest displacement crisis in the world. Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), issued a stark warning following her visit to Sudan, stating that the ongoing catastrophe also poses the risk of becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis if the fighting does not cease.
During her visit, McCain witnessed firsthand the dire situation faced by families fleeing violence and the escalating hunger emergency in Sudan. She emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “The war in Sudan risks triggering the world’s largest hunger crisis.” McCain highlighted the fact that while the world had previously rallied to respond to crises like the one in Darfur 20 years ago, the people of Sudan are now being forgotten, putting millions of lives and the peace and stability of the entire region at stake.
The United Nations has reported that more than 25 million people in Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad are experiencing deteriorating food security. WFP has been unable to deliver sufficient emergency food assistance to communities trapped by violence in Sudan due to the relentless fighting and interference by warring parties. As a result, 90% of those facing emergency levels of hunger in Sudan are in areas that are largely inaccessible to WFP.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the revocation of permissions for cross-border truck convoys, which has disrupted humanitarian assistance and forced WFP to halt its operations from Chad into Darfur. More than one million people in West and Central Darfur had previously received WFP assistance via this route, and the agency was scaling up support to meet increasing levels of hunger and malnutrition in the region.
Meanwhile, the influx of refugees into South Sudan and Chad has placed immense strain on humanitarian resources. In eastern South Sudan, nearly 600,000 people have crossed from Sudan in the past 10 months, overwhelming crowded transit camps where families arrive hungry and in need of assistance. Displaced people in South Sudan account for 35% of those facing catastrophic levels of hunger, despite making up less than 3% of the population.
McCain expressed deep concern for the vulnerable populations she met, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address the escalating food insecurity. She stressed the vital role of humanitarian agencies in providing life-saving assistance and called for an end to the fighting to allow agencies like WFP to operate effectively.
In order to prevent a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan and neighboring countries, WFP urgently requires unimpeded access to address food insecurity and increased funding to respond to the growing needs of affected populations. Ultimately, a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of lasting peace are essential to prevent further catastrophe and ensure the long-term stability of the region.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
