PORT SUDAN: The United Nations’ World Food Programme issued a stark warning on Wednesday, cautioning that Sudan’s ongoing conflict between rival generals could provoke the world’s most severe hunger crisis. The prolonged battle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in devastating consequences.
Tens of thousands have lost their lives, essential infrastructure has been decimated, and the country’s economy has been left in ruins. Moreover, the conflict has forced over eight million people from their homes, exacerbating what is already the largest displacement crisis globally.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that millions of lives are now in jeopardy, and the stability of an entire region hangs in the balance. Drawing a parallel with the Darfur crisis two decades ago, McCain underscored the urgent need for international attention and assistance, lamenting that the people of Sudan have been neglected amidst the turmoil.
The Rapid Support Forces deployed by former dictator Omar al-Bashir in Darfur, stand accused alongside the army of committing egregious violations, including indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and obstruction of vital aid efforts.
The severity of the hunger crisis is exacerbated by the WFP’s limited access to affected populations, with 90 percent unable to receive urgently needed assistance. Shockingly, only five percent of Sudan’s population can afford a single meal a day.
Meanwhile, in overcrowded transit camps in South Sudan, where over 600,000 Sudanese refugees have sought sanctuary, hunger remains pervasive, particularly affecting vulnerable children, with one in five arriving malnourished.
