Sudan now has highest number of IDPs globally, says OCHA

September 17, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan currently has the highest number of internally displaced persons globally, the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) said.

The number of people displaced within and outside Sudan since mid-April is now 5.25 million, the agency said on Friday adding that up to 15,500 people have been displaced following inter-communal fighting in West Darfur State of Sudan.

The country has been at war since fierce clashes broke out in the capital between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Last week, the UN food security agency (FAO) said it requires at least $123 million to reach 10.1 million people across Sudan’s 17 states with vital livelihoods support.

This came as the agency launced an emergency response plan to provide essential support to communities grappling with effects of the conflict in Sudan.

Over the coming year, however, FAO said it will distribute seeds, livestock treatment kits and provide veterinary and fisheries support to boost crop production, improve seed diversification and protect animal stock from depleting.

The initiative is expected to meet the cereal requirements of up to 19 million people for the upcoming 2023 harvest, according to estimates availed by FAO.

Meanwhile, OCHA said cases of severe malnutrition have increased by 300 per cent in Sudan’s Aj Jazirah State, further adding that heavy rains and flooding have affected about 59,100 people in six localities across the country since July.

At least 20.3 million people across Sudan are acutely food insecure and need food and livelihood assistance between July and September 2023, according to the latest integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on the war-torn nation.

(ST)