PORT Sunda, Sudan: The World Food Programme (WFP) has urgently appealed to the conflicting parties in Sudan to allow unrestricted access for humanitarian aid as the nation faces the dire threat of famine.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal conflict between the regular armed forces, led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), under the command of former deputy Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
The ongoing violence has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and displacing millions.
AFP reports that both factions have been implicated in grave violations of human rights, including war crimes that involve the deliberate targeting of civilians and obstructing humanitarian assistance.
The situation has deteriorated to the point where approximately 26 million people are facing acute food insecurity, with 11.3 million displaced internally and nearly three million fleeing to neighboring countries.
READ ALSO: Iran Guards Head Warns Israel of ‘Bitter Consequences’ Following Strike: Media
Cindy McCain, the WFP’s executive director, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We want complete and unfettered access as well as the ability to get in through as many different entry points into Sudan as possible.” Currently, the entire nation is at famine alert level, with famine conditions already declared at the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
The WFP highlights that the blockade on aid is not just a humanitarian issue but a matter of life and death for millions of Sudanese.
In a joint statement, Western nations, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, condemned the systematic obstruction of aid efforts by both sides. They underscored that this impasse is a significant factor contributing to the looming famine, urging both parties to allow humanitarian access.
The international community’s pressure continues to mount as the WFP and other humanitarian organizations strive to deliver critical assistance to those in desperate need.
