Sudan is facing impending hunger crisis, WFP says

September 24, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Nearly 15 million people in Sudan are facing a hunger crisis, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Representative to Sudan.

Eddie Rowe, in his remarks to reporters in Geneva on Friday, spoke about the political and economic challenges facing the troubled country. He pointed to the prolonged rift between the military and civilians over the transition, rising food prices, and the impact of climate change.

“At least 15 million people, or one-third of the population, are facing hunger in Sudan, according to WFP’s latest Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment,” read a statement released after the briefing.

The heavy floods this year left estimated damage to 5,000 hectares of agricultural land, which affected the season, significantly, most of the farmers face difficulties to access their lands.

Last month, the WFP warned of a hunger crisis that will hit almost 18 million in Sudan, according to studies conducted which indicated the risks have heightened to 50 per cent since last year.

Since July, the floods have resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries in addition to thousands of houses, facilities and livestock.

The WFP in coordination with other UN agencies have been aiding the people in the affected areas; they’ve reached 5 million with food assistance, and mothers and children with the necessary nutrition supplements to avoid malnutrition.

The WFP plans to reach 10 million this year, however, uncertainty due to funding challenges is an obstacle that might hurdle reaching the goal. The UN agency needs some $201 million to implement this programme.

The world’s largest humanitarian agency aims to provide each refugee with 2,200 calories of nutrition. They had to cut it up to 1000 per day as a result of a shortage of funds.

(ST)