The Looming Crisis: UN forecasts catastrophic hunger in Sudan

Sudan, a country already grappling with the ramifications of a prolonged and devastating conflict, now stands on the precipice of a catastrophic hunger crisis.

According to United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths, nearly five million people in Sudan could face severe food insecurity in the coming months.

The dire situation is the result of multiple factors, all of which have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict. Agricultural production has been severely impacted, with farmers unable to tend to their fields due to insecurity and displacement. Major infrastructure has been damaged, hindering trade flows and making it difficult to transport essential commodities.

The resulting scarcity has led to severe price increases, making basic food items unaffordable for many. Furthermore, humanitarian access is being impeded, making it challenging to provide aid to those in need.

Griffiths warns that if urgent humanitarian assistance is not provided and access to basic commodities is not restored, almost five million people could slip into a state of catastrophic food insecurity.

In particular, individuals in West and Central Darfur are considered highly vulnerable, as security conditions worsen and the lean season commences. The delivery of cross-border aid from Chad to Darfur is seen as a critical lifeline in mitigating the crisis.

The impact of this impending hunger crisis on children is particularly alarming. It is projected that nearly 730,000 children throughout Sudan will suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with over 240,000 of those children residing in Darfur. Already, a surge in the treatment of severe wasting, the most lethal manifestation of malnutrition, is being observed in accessible areas.

In the spring of 2023, a devastating war erupted in Sudan, pitting the Sudanese army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The consequences of this conflict have been nothing short of catastrophic.

According to the United Nations, a staggering 25 million people, which represents half of Sudan’s population, are now in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. To make matters worse, an estimated 8 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge from the violence and chaos.

As the conflict rages on, reports of war crimes have emerged, prompting international scrutiny and condemnation. The United States, in particular, has accused both warring factions of committing atrocities that violate the principles of international law. These grave allegations have undoubtedly fueled concerns about the severe humanitarian crisis that has unfolded in Sudan.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, the United Nations passed a resolution in 2018, mandating the Secretary-General to report any instances where there is a risk of conflict-induced famine and widespread food insecurity arising from armed conflicts.

Sadly, since the commencement of the war in Sudan, the situation has worsened significantly. Mark Griffiths, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, reported that more than 1,000 incidents obstructing aid access had been recorded.

These incidents, which have had a detrimental effect on humanitarian operations, have predominantly been attributed to the conflict itself or deliberate acts of violence against aid workers or humanitarian assets.