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August 13, 2024 (KAUDA) – The civil authorities allied with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) on Tuesday declared famine in areas under its control in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, affecting around 3 million people.
The move came shortly after the United Nations Development Programme reported famine in a refugee camp in North Darfur, a report the Sudanese government denied.
The first secretary of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North civilian authority, Arnold Nguturu Lodi, blamed the famine on the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted agricultural production and the delivery of aid. He cited factors including a poor harvest in the previous season, a lack of seeds and fuel, road closures, a locust invasion, a measles outbreak and air strikes.
Lodhi also accused the Sudanese government of using the blockade of roads by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as an excuse to sell aid that was destined for the disaster-stricken areas.
“More than 20 percent of households in both regions face severe food shortages and more than 30 percent of children are malnourished,” Lodhi said, noting that the figures meet the United Nations criteria for a famine declaration.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North Committee called for urgent humanitarian assistance to resolve the crisis and save lives in the affected areas.
The SPLM-N, which has long been in conflict with the Sudanese government, has taken advantage of the ongoing fighting between Sudanese government forces and the Rapid Security Forces to expand its control in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
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