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5 August 2024 (Port Sudan) – Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), confirmed the devastating famine in Sudan’s North Darfur State and 14 other regions of the country.
This confirmation follows the recent assessment of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) by the Famine Review Committee (FRC).
The report confirmed widespread famine in parts of North Darfur, including in the Zam Zam refugee camp in El Fasher, where an estimated 500,000 people are trapped in famine.
Underscoring the gravity of the situation, Steiner said: “Famine is not only a possible and devastating future prospect, but also a real and harsh present reality in North Darfur.”
He further highlighted the dire situation faced by Sudanese communities, with 70 per cent of rural households unable to cultivate their land, a quarter unable to access markets due to security concerns and 43 per cent unable to afford food even if they had it.
UNDP officials stressed the urgent need for immediate and comprehensive humanitarian assistance and called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the Greater Darfur States.
In addition to providing emergency food assistance, Steiner stressed the importance of supporting livelihoods by investing in irrigation infrastructure, extension services and farmer resources. He said this approach can meet immediate needs and promote long-term sustainability and resilience of communities.
According to the UNDP Administrator, UNDP will continue to work to strengthen the resilience of the Sudanese people, expand agricultural production, provide basic services and support the development of critical infrastructure.
As the lead development agency in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), UNDP reportedly stands ready to contribute its development resources, capacities and expertise to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan.
Steiner concluded his statement with a call for immediate action, saying: “With urgent action, famine in Sudan can be stopped. The time to act is now.”
There are concerns that restrictions on humanitarian access, including obstacles deliberately imposed by parties to the conflict, are severely limiting the ability of aid agencies to effectively scale up their response.
These obstacles have severely hampered the delivery of necessary assistance, exacerbating the food crisis and pushing some families into famine.
Furthermore, basic human needs for health services, water, food, nutrition, shelter and protection are not being met due to the collapse of multiple sectors in the country.
Sudan currently faces the world’s largest internal displacement crisis, with more than 7 million people reported to have been internally displaced since April 15, 2023. Prior to this, Sudan had hosted around 3.8 million internally displaced persons.
In addition, more than 2.1 million people were displaced across borders, mainly to neighbouring countries.
(English stone)
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