Sudan’s worsening famine: Conflict puts millions at risk

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Sudan’s worsening famine: Conflict puts millions at risk

More than 24.6 million people – half of Sudan’s population – are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the IPC initiative, which tracks extreme hunger globally.

Source: IPC

Projected acute food insecurity map.

Conflict a key driver

The brutal conflict, which erupted between rival militaries vying for power and influence last April has driven over 12 million people – nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population – from their homes, exacerbating food insecurity and overwhelming host communities.

Fierce fighting continues to rage in densely populated areas, with widespread disregard for international humanitarian law on all sides.

Civilians have been killed and injured in overwhelming numbers, sexual violence is rife, and essential infrastructure – including healthcare and education facilities – lie in ruins.

Deadly diseases such as cholera are also spreading rapidly, against the backdrop of the breakdown in essential services, including healthcare, clean water and sanitation.

Urgent recommendations

The IPC report underscored that only an immediate cessation of hostilities can prevent the crisis from worsening.  

It called for the restoration of safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access, particularly in conflict zones, and a significant scale-up of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance.

Alongside, it also called for scaling up treatment for acute malnutrition, providing vital agricultural inputs to help vulnerable households sustain themselves, as well as conducting food security and nutrition surveys in unassessed areas to refine response efforts.

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