The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning that around 19 million people, nearly 40% of Sudan’s population, are at risk of slipping into hunger following months of ongoing clashes between the army and Rapid Support Forces. The escalating conflict has plunged the country into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, affecting major cities, including the capital, and regions like Darfur and Kordofan.
Speaking on behalf of the WFP, Mohamed El Amin expressed grave concerns about the food security situation in the country. He anticipated that more than 19 million people could be pushed into hunger, marking the highest figure of food-insecure individuals ever recorded in Sudan. Particularly worrying is the rising hunger rates in Western Darfur, Western Kordofan, Blue Nile, Red Sea, and Northern Darfur.
The current conflict is posing significant threats to the agricultural season as farmers grapple with insecurity and struggle to cope with soaring prices of seeds and fertilizers. Lack of liquidity and limited funding exacerbate the challenges, leading to a potential decline in the production of major crops like sorghum.
The WFP also expressed deep concern about the situation in Darfur, where distressing reports of ethnic violence against civilians have emerged. Urgent access to thousands of people in the region is imperative, but insecurity makes it difficult to reach those in need, who make up more than half of the region’s population.
The crisis in Sudan has placed millions of lives at risk, and the WFP’s call for immediate action aims to avert an unimaginable catastrophe. As the conflict continues to escalate, there is no sustainable solution to the fighting in sight, which could further exacerbate the already dire food security situation.