Khartoum community kitchens collapse,leaving thousands facing famine

November 17, 2024 (KHARTOUM) – More than 150 community kitchens feeding thousands of Sudanese families in Khartoum’s East Nile district have been forced to close due to a funding shortfall, leaving vulnerable residents facing hunger, local volunteer groups said on Sunday.

The kitchens, run by volunteers, have become critical in Sudan’s conflict zones, where fighting has ravaged the economy and left many without income or access to food.

“East Nile is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” the district’s emergency response committee said in a statement. “About 150 community kitchens have completely ceased operations due to a lack of financial support.”

The closures leave thousands facing hunger, with many at risk of famine. The situation is compounded by the spread of disease and rising malnutrition among children and the elderly, the statement added.

A June report found 25.6 million Sudanese suffering from severe hunger, with 755,000 facing famine and another 8.5 million on the brink.

The emergency response committee called for urgent action from philanthropists and aid organizations to restart the kitchens.

“These kitchens are not just places to distribute food, but the only hope and lifeline for thousands of citizens who have lost all means of livelihood,” the statement said.