Since fighting in Sudan intensified in April, food prices have doubled. Movement is becoming increasingly restricted, making it even more difficult for people to access food and water. The World Food Programme has warned that fighting in Sudan could further plunge millions more into hunger.
Violence and threats to aid workers are putting civilians at risk and preventing them from accessing basic needs
Action Against Hunger has been providing humanitarian aid in Sudan since 2017. But now humanitarian aid workers and members of the international community are being targeted. According to the UN, five humanitarian workers have been killed so far. Humanitarian activities have been interrupted, with many reports of looting of humanitarian supplies. This makes it even harder to get food and water to the people who need it most. Making Sudan one of the hungriest countries in the world.
Evacuation operations of international staff and their families from many foreign countries are ongoing. After he was evacuated, Reza Mohammadi, Financial Coordinator at Action Against Hunger in Sudan, could only express his concern for those who are staying: “My family and I feel safe now, but we cannot stop thinking about our national colleagues and their families.”
Rafiullah Tariq, Head of our MEAL Department in Sudan, added, “our thoughts are for all our national colleagues who are suffering from this unjustified war.”
We’re concerned about the safety and wellbeing of our national staff in Sudan after the evacuations take place. They’re essential to resuming aid operations.
Conflict and climatic shocks: key drivers of food insecurity
Conflict remains the main driver of global food insecurity around the world. An estimated 50,000 acutely malnourished children in Sudan have had treatment disrupted because of the conflict, according to WHO data. Most food insecure people around the world, including 75% of all chronically malnourished children under the age of five, live in countries affected by armed conflict and violence.
Prolonged droughts, erratic rains, and crop failure have led to a food insecurity crisis in Sudan – made worse by droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks. In 2021, when Sudan’s armed forces launched a military coup, the prevalence of <