Sudan Faces Widespread Starvation as Humanitarian Aid Access is Blocked
widespread starvation and death are imminent in Darfur and other regions if humanitarian aid access is not granted immediately.
The World Food Program (WFP) reports that at least 1.7 million people in Darfur were experiencing emergency levels of hunger in December 2023, and the number is expected to be significantly higher now. The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, the only capital in Darfur not controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
WFP partners on the ground report that civilians are trapped in El Fasher, unable to escape the RSF's bombings and shelling. The violence has also severely impacted crop production, with staple cereals like wheat, sorghum, and millet at 78% below the five-year average.
With the lean season between harvests approaching, WFP fears a dramatic increase in hunger. Families are already running out of food, and reports of people resorting to consuming grass and peanut shells are alarming.
WFP urgently calls for a concerted diplomatic effort by the international community to push the warring parties to provide access and safety guarantees for humanitarian staff and convoys. The agency also emphasizes the need for unrestricted access to the Adre border crossing and the ability to move assistance across front lines from Port Sudan to Darfur.
Failure to act will result in a devastating hunger catastrophe, potentially the world's largest. With almost 28 million people facing food insecurity across Sudan, South Sudan, and Chad, the conflict in Sudan threatens to exacerbate existing challenges and trigger a regional crisis.
The recent killing of two International Committee of the Red Cross drivers in South Darfur underscores the dangers faced by humanitarian workers. WFP urges all parties to respect international humanitarian law and allow aid to reach those in desperate need.