Small window remains to avert disaster in Sudan, says WFP

May 15, 2024 (PORT SUDAN/NAIROBI) – The window to save lives is closing as famine looms in Sudan’s war-torn regions with civilians trapped by intensified fighting in the northern Darfur region, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned.

The warning came ahead of the rainy season set to start in the coming months.

This, WFP said, could make transport routes inaccessible as hunger approaches.

“The situation is desperate and quickly deteriorating. WFP is currently reaching some 2.5 million people. We have the capacity to scale up and expand our assistance, but for that we need all parties to facilitate access – both across the warring front lines, as well as cross-border from Chad and South Sudan,” said WFP’s Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau following a mission to Sudan this week.

He added, “Only a few weeks remain to stock up food supplies in parts of Darfur and Kordofan before the rainy season starts and many roads become impassible. Farmers also need to safely reach their farmlands to plant ahead of the rains”.

At least 5 million people in Sudan are on the brink of starvation, the agency said.

According to WFP experts, the number may have significantly increased since the last Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) assessment done in December last year.

A preliminary WFP analysis has identified 41 hunger hotspots that are high-risk of slipping into famine in the coming month, most of them in access constrained areas where conflict is raging including in Darfur, Kordofan region and Khartoum.

In Port Sudan, the WFP Deputy Executive Director reportedly met with a senior member of the Sudan Sovereignty Council, the Sudan Federal Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, and Sudan’s Minister of Agriculture. They recognized the severity of the situation and committed to facilitate cross-line deliveries, more flexibility in using the Tine border crossing from Chad into North Darfur, and to consider allowing WFP convoys to cross via the currently-closed Adre border crossing.

As progress is currently being made with SPLM-N (Al-Hilu) on humanitarian access, facilitation of access to the Kordofan region, including through a cross-border route from South Sudan, is also anticipated, the UN agency noted in a statement.

In addition, it further stated, commitments were given that the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service could open an airbridge to Kassala from Port Sudan, and that WFP would be able to bring additional ITC equipment to ensure connectivity for the humanitarian system in remote field locations.

“These indications are welcome steps to improve the humanitarian operating environment in Sudan. Commitments made by all parties to facilitate humanitarian access urgently need to be translated into realities on the ground,” said Skau.

The recent escalating fighting in North Darfur’s capital El Fasher has resulted in large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries, damaged the only operational hospital in the state, and hampered humanitarian access to the city and beyond.

“I urge the warring parties to uphold their obligations under international law to protect civilians and to stop the fighting,” stressed the WFP Executive Director.

WFP has repeatedly been warning that Sudan could become the world’s worst hunger crisis as the conflict enters its second year.

The window to prevent famine is rapidly closing without immediate action, it said.

“The situation in Sudan has not been given the attention it deserves. That must change now. Concerted diplomatic efforts and more resources are urgently needed to protect civilians and to strengthen the humanitarian response. WFP is committed and ready to do its part,” concluded the WFP Deputy Executive Director.

(ST)