Famine threatens Khartoum’s South Belt as free kitchens close

July 13, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – The Emergency Room for Khartoum’s South Belt region announced on Saturday the closure of all free kitchens operating in the area due to a lack of funding and food supplies. The Room warned that this dire situation threatens to cause widespread famine among residents, who are already grappling with the ongoing conflict and a severe lack of humanitarian aid.

The South Belt area, encompassing the neighbourhoods of Al-Inqaz, Al-Azhari, Al-Salama, and Mayo, has been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the war’s early days. These neighbourhoods have been sites of intense military operations between the army and the RSF, resulting in civilian casualties, destruction of homes, and displacement.

In June, volunteers reported a mass exodus of residents from southern Khartoum due to the lack of security and deteriorating living conditions. Now, the closure of the free kitchens, known as “Takaya,” further exacerbates the crisis.

Mohamed Kindasha, the South Belt Emergency Room’s spokesman, told Sudan Tribune that the kitchens have been forced to shut down due to depleted food stocks and no financial resources to replenish them. He explained that the room relies on intermittent donations and grants, which have not been forthcoming in recent weeks.

The closure affects roughly 25 kitchens that served as a lifeline for many residents, providing essential meals amid lost income sources and scarce resources. Kindasha warned that the lack of food aid and the cessation of these vital services could quickly lead to a devastating famine in the area. Many residents are already suffering from malnutrition due to their reliance on low-quality food throughout the war.

The dire situation is compounded by the actions of authorities in army-controlled states, who have restricted the delivery of goods to RSF-controlled areas in Khartoum and imposed strict security measures on roads, further hindering access to essential supplies.