UN urges urgent Action as Sudan faces catastrophic hunger

The United Nations issued a fervent plea on Friday for warring factions in Sudan to facilitate the delivery of vital humanitarian aid, warning of an imminent “catastrophic” hunger crisis.

According to a document obtained by AFP, approximately five million Sudanese individuals are at risk of facing dire food insecurity in the coming months, as the nation remains embroiled in a nearly yearlong conflict between rival military leaders.

Since April of the previous year, the relentless war between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has exacted a devastating toll on Sudan, claiming tens of thousands of lives, decimating infrastructure, and plunging the economy into turmoil.

Consequently, the nation finds itself teetering on the precipice of famine, with a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbating acute food shortages.

UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths underscored the gravity of the situation in a letter addressed to the Security Council, revealing that an alarming 18 million Sudanese are already grappling with acute food insecurity, marking a record during the harvest season.

Griffiths cautioned that without swift intervention, nearly five million individuals could slip into catastrophic food insecurity in various parts of the country in the coming months, with approximately 730,000 Sudanese children, including over 240,000 in Darfur, suffering from severe malnutrition.

The urgent call for action extends beyond the provision of aid, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasizing the crucial need for safe and unimpeded access for aid organizations across conflict zones within Sudan.

Moreover, Dujarric stressed the imperative of a substantial mobilization of resources from the international community to address the burgeoning crisis.

Expressing grave concern, the UN’s World Food Programme cautioned that the ongoing conflict in Sudan poses a significant risk of precipitating the world’s largest hunger crisis.

Jill Lawler, the emergency chief for UNICEF in Sudan, highlighted the logistical challenges hindering aid distribution, noting the disparity between aid stocks in Port Sudan and the pressing needs of vulnerable populations.

Echoing Lawler’s sentiments, Mandeep O’Brien, UNICEF representative in Sudan, underscored the perilous predicament facing millions of children in the nation, urging immediate action to avert further loss of lives and safeguard their future.

The gravity of the situation was further underscored by World Health Organization regional director Hanan Balkhy, who emphasized the acute healthcare needs in Darfur, where the majority of health facilities have been either looted, damaged, or destroyed.

Despite a Security Council resolution urging a cessation of hostilities, Griffiths lamented the continuation of fighting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, underscoring the pivotal moment facing Sudan. Urging all parties to prioritize civilian protection and facilitate humanitarian access, Griffiths emphasized the imperative of silencing the guns to avert further catastrophe.

Furthermore, the UN appealed for increased financial support for aid operations in Sudan, with spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci revealing that of the $2.7 billion sought for aid provision this year, only a mere five percent has been received thus far.

As Sudan stands at a critical juncture, the international community faces a moral imperative to act swiftly and decisively to avert a humanitarian catastrophe of unprecedented proportions.