31 countries warn 5.1 million people face hunger in Sudan
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sabcnews
The United States, several European powers and other countries have warned of worsening food insecurity in Sudan, where 5.1 million people are facing acute hunger. They are calling on the warring parties to facilitate humanitarian aid and on the international community to increase funding, according to the US State Department.
Thirty-one countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have warned of worsening food security in Sudan and the risk of famine in the coming months. Their joint statement calls on the parties to the conflict to remove obstacles to humanitarian aid and allow access across borders and front lines, including by air to Darfur, reports SABC News.
The signatory countries have also urged the international community to increase funding and financial institutions to adapt their programmes to the food situation. They called on the warring parties to protect humanitarian workers and avoid strikes on civilian infrastructure. The statement says the parties to the conflict bear primary responsibility for reducing the suffering of the population.
In June, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global system supported by the UN, estimated that 5.1 million people in Sudan were facing severe hunger. The war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023, has displaced more than 14 million people. Farmers have struggled to harvest since the conflict began, while recent drought has worsened the difficulties.
The warning comes after 19.5 million Sudanese were reported to be at risk of hunger on 24 October, and drought was described as worsening the risk of famine on 23 October.
