The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) sounded the alarm on Wednesday, cautioning that Sudan’s nearly 11-month war between rival generals poses a grave risk of becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis.

The conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has inflicted devastating consequences. Tens of thousands have lost their lives, infrastructure lies in ruins, and Sudan’s economy teeters on the brink of collapse.

The war has forced over eight million people from their homes, adding to the two million already displaced before the conflict, marking it as the world’s largest displacement crisis.

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the dire consequences, stating, “Millions of lives and the peace and stability of an entire region are at stake.” She drew attention to the urgent need for international intervention, comparing the current situation to the crisis in Darfur two decades ago.

McCain lamented the neglect of Sudan’s plight, highlighting the forgotten suffering of its people amidst the ongoing conflict.

The RSF, rooted in the Janjaweed militia utilized by former dictator Omar al-Bashir, stands accused of indiscriminate violence against civilians, hindering aid efforts, and exacerbating the crisis.

Currently, the WFP faces significant challenges in accessing 90% of those experiencing severe hunger, with only a small fraction of Sudan’s population able to afford a single meal per day.

In South Sudan, where 600,000 Sudanese refugees have sought shelter, the situation remains dire. Families arriving at crowded transit camps encounter further hunger, with one in five children suffering from malnutrition.

Sudan as a whole is grappling with acute food insecurity, with 18 million people affected, five million of whom are in catastrophic levels of hunger, nearing famine conditions. Urgent action is needed to avert this looming humanitarian catastrophe.

Author: Deborah Oyinloye

With an interest in media, Deborah aims to impart the lives of people positively.

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