UN envoy concerned by WFP aid cut for Sudan

May 10, 2006 (NAIROBI) — The United Nations envoy on hunger has expressed deep concern over the drastic aid cut for millions of Sudanese starting this month.

In a statement received here Wednesday, Swiss Jean Ziegler, UN special rapporteur of the commission on human rights on the right to food, called on countries to honor their obligations under a global treaty and work alongside the authorities in Sudan to help feed the millions of Sudanese in need.

“The Special Rapporteur on the right to food calls on the government of Sudan, in cooperation with the UN system, to addressthe problem of food security in a long-term perspective through adequate policies and programs,” the statement said.

Ziegler’s statement comes after the UN World Food Program (WFP) announced that it has been forced to cut food rations for millionsof Sudanese following a huge shortfall in requested funds.

“Ziegler is deeply concerned by the drastic food cuts for millions of Sudanese as from May 2006,” said the statement.

The UN envoy on hunger pointed out that the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights obliges states parties “to respond quickly and in an appropriate manner to emergency food situations on the territory of a state member of the United Nations.”

Ziegler requested that member states immediately honor their legal obligations and ensure the realization of the right to food of the suffering populations, in close collaboration with the authorities of Sudan.

“This is urgently needed to save the lives of thousands of people in this country,” he said.

Millions of people in the western Sudanese region of Darfur andeastern Sudan who are already vulnerable to continued insecurity and displacement will receive daily rations of 1,050 kilocalories, only half of the minimum daily requirement of 2,100 kilocalories per person.

“This is insufficient to sustain a healthy life,” the statementsaid.

Despite repeated appeals to donors, WFP has received just 238 million U.S. dollars, or 32 percent, of the 746 million dollars needed.

By reducing daily rations, the agency’s limited food stocks will last longer during the period between July to September when needs are greatest before the next harvest.

The WFP said in April that it would have to drastically reduce food rations this month for 6.1 million people all over Sudan.

(Xinhua/ST)