Marked by two years of conflict, some 26 million Sudanese are suffering from hunger due to rising food prices and access difficulties in the country, the UN said.
At his daily briefing in New York, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) “remains extremely alarmed by the worsening food situation in Sudan” and that the figure of 26 million includes 750,000 people who are “one step away from famine”.
“For example, this is equivalent to the entire population of Australia,” he added.
The situation worsens
In Sudan, rising food prices, access problems and the impact of war are exacerbating the population’s limited access to food.
Last month, The price of local food increased by 16% compared to May and is 120% higher than in June 2023.
“The plight of the population will only worsen as the rainy season approaches,” Dujarric said.
He said the Tine border crossing, used to transport goods from Chad to Sudan’s Darfur region, is currently impassable due to heavy rains and flooding. In addition, routes from southern Sudan are inaccessible.
Dujarric warned that “the people of Sudan are facing the worst of situations” and that humanitarian personnel urgently need access through all possible routes to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
He also highlighted the crucial need for financial support, noting that the $2.7 billion plan to cover humanitarian operations this year is only 30% funded.
Investigation into rape
The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan has called on the international community to urgently step up its efforts to end the war, which has just entered its second year.
The Mission, established by the Human Rights Council UN Special Rapporteur, has just concluded a three-week visit to neighbouring Chad, where he has documented worrying patterns of serious human rights violations arising from the conflict.
The three members met with Sudanese refugees who gave first-hand accounts horrific murders, sexual violence, including gang rape, arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, looting, burning of houses and use of child soldiers.
They said many of the violations appear to be particularly targeted against professionals such as lawyers, human rights defenders, teachers and doctors. Forced displacement is a common feature.
“It was heartbreaking to hear the testimonies of victims of sexual violence,” said expert Mona Rishmawi.
“This violence appears to take place during captivity and while women and girls are on the run. Sometimes it is to punish a woman who actively defends her community.. Sometimes it is random and opportunistic,” he explained.
The Fact-Finding Mission also heard views on measures that could and should be taken to break the recurring cycle of violence and ensure accountability, justice and support for victims.
“I admire the bravery of the many widows we have met in the camps,” said Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, an expert member. “No one deserves to go through such cruel and life-changing experiences.”
Needs increase
While acknowledging the enormous efforts made by the Chadian authorities, United Nations entities and other humanitarian actors, experts attest that “It is clear that the needs outweigh the support available”.
Chande Othman, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, stressed that the entire international community must respond.
“The UN and humanitarian groups urgently need more financial and other assistance to ensure that Sudanese refugees and Chadian returnees have access to basic services, including nutrition, hygiene needs, health care and education,” he stressed.
The Mission called on the international community to increase humanitarian support to Chadian communities hosting refugees, who are under immense pressure.
The border town of Adre alone hosts more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees, at least five times its original size.
Like all independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, the members of the Mission are not UN staff and do not receive remuneration for their work.
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