OCHA expresses “extreme concern” over worsening food security after more than a year of war
Jul 24. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The United Nations has said that around 26 million people are suffering from “acute hunger” in Sudan and has expressed “extreme concern” about the worsening food security situation in the country, which has been embroiled in a war since April 2023 between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has indicated that more than 750,000 people are “just one step away from famine” due to rising food prices and difficulties in delivering aid because of the conflict.
He said food prices rose by 16 percent in June compared to May, with a cumulative increase of 120 percent compared to June 2023, a situation that “will only get worse” due to the rainy season, which is already active in the African country.
“The Tine border crossing, which is used to transport supplies from Chad to Darfur, is currently impassable due to heavy rains and flooding. Many routes in southern Sudan are also inaccessible,” the agency said.
He stressed that the country is “facing the worst possible scenario” and insisted that “the humanitarian community urgently needs access through all possible routes to prevent a further deterioration of the situation” in Sudan.
“The provision of more funding is also crucial. As of today, this year’s humanitarian appeal for Sudan is just over 30 percent funded,” OCHA stressed, amid the deepening crisis and continuing fighting, with the parties still unable to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The war broke out on April 15 following sharp disagreements between the army and the RSF over the integration of the paramilitary group into the armed forces, which derailed the transition process that began following the overthrow of Omar Hassan al-Bashir after 30 years in power following a military coup in April 2019.
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