Famine in Sudan Expands to Five Areas, Will Likely Spread to Another Five by May
People walk along a street in Omdurman, Sudan. (EPA Images pic)
Famine in Sudan has expanded to five areas and will likely spread to another five by May, the global hunger monitor reported Tuesday, while warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times.
Famine Conditions Confirmed
Famine conditions were confirmed in Abu Shouk and al-Salam, two camps for internally displaced people in al-Fashir, the besieged capital of North Darfur, as well as two other areas in South Kordofan state, according to the famine review committee of the Integrated Food Phase Classification, or IPC. The committee also found famine, first identified in August, persists in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp.
Predictions and Risks
The committee, which vets and verifies a famine finding, predicts famine will expand to five additional areas in North Darfur — Um Kadadah, Melit, al-Fashir, Tawisha and al-Lait — by May. The committee identified another 17 areas across Sudan at risk of famine.
Humanitarian Crisis
The IPC estimated about 24.6 million people, about half of all Sudanese, urgently need food aid through February, a sharp increase from the 21.1 million originally projected in June for the same period.
Government Disruption
The findings were published despite the Sudanese government’s continued disruption of the IPC’s process for analysing acute food insecurity, which helps direct aid where it is most needed. On Monday, the government announced it was suspending its participation in the global hunger-monitoring system, saying it issues "unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity".
Background
The IPC is an independent body funded by Western nations and overseen by 19 large humanitarian organisations and intergovernmental institutions. A linchpin in the world’s vast system for monitoring and alleviating hunger, it is designed to sound the alarm about developing food crises so organisations can respond and prevent famine and mass starvation.
Civil War and Displacement
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are engaged in a civil war with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and are adamantly opposed to a famine declaration for fear it would result in diplomatic pressure to ease border controls and lead to greater foreign engagement with the RSF.
Food Insecurity and Aid
The RSF has looted commercial and humanitarian food supplies, disrupted farming and besieged some areas, making trade more costly and food prices unaffordable. The government also has blocked humanitarian organisations’ access to some parts of the country.
Conclusion
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is one of the worst in modern times, with millions of people at risk of famine and starvation. The continued disruption of humanitarian aid and the expansion of famine conditions are a major concern. It is essential that the international community takes immediate action to address this crisis and provide aid to those in need.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Sudan?
A: The country is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with famine conditions confirmed in five areas and likely to spread to another five by May.
Q: Who is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Sudan?
A: The Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are engaged in a civil war, which has led to the disruption of food production and trade, and the blocking of humanitarian aid.
Q: What is the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC)?
A: The IPC is an independent body that monitors and reports on acute food insecurity, providing critical information to aid organisations and governments to respond to food crises.
Q: What is the role of the UN in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan?
A: The UN is providing aid and support to those affected by the crisis, but its efforts are being hindered by the government’s disruption of humanitarian aid and the RSF’s blockade of aid deliveries.