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29 June 2024 (New York) – A senior United Nations official has expressed concern about Sudan’s deteriorating food security situation, saying the country is facing its worst food insecurity ever.
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, revealed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the latest UN report, more than 25 million people – more than half of the population – face severe food insecurity, with 18 percent at emergency level, at risk of famine.
The report further noted that the food crisis has had a devastating impact on Sudan’s people and livelihoods, with more than 4,500 rural households facing severe food insecurity.
Steiner said urgent humanitarian and food aid was a priority but must be accompanied by additional support to prevent famine.
He also called for urgent support for agricultural livelihoods, including the restoration of irrigation infrastructure, the provision of subsidized seeds and fertilizers to farmers, and the establishment of rapid training programmes to increase agricultural resilience.
“Restoring the ability to function markets by rebuilding market infrastructure, establishing safe trade corridors, and supporting local merchants and small businesses to resume operations is also critical for economic recovery and food security,” Steiner stressed.
More than 8 million people have been displaced since conflict broke out between the army and paramilitary groups in mid-April 2023, and calls for a permanent ceasefire have not yielded positive results.
(English stone)
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