A recent report from the global hunger monitor has confirmed that famine conditions have expanded to five areas in war-torn Sudan, and are likely to spread to another five by May. The expansion is attributed to ongoing disruptions in humanitarian aid efforts due to the civil war between the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC) has identified five areas where famine conditions have been confirmed, including two camps for internally displaced people in al-Fashir. The committee also found that famine persists in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp.
According to the IPC, about 24.6 million people, or half of all Sudanese, urgently need food aid through May. This is a sharp increase from the original projection of 21.1 million for October through February.
The Sudanese government has continued to disrupt the IPC’s process for analyzing acute food insecurity, which can impact donors and humanitarian groups’ ability to direct aid where it is most needed. The government announced it was suspending its participation in the global hunger-monitoring system, citing “unreliable reports” that undermine their sovereignty.
The RSF has denied allegations of looting commercial and humanitarian food supplies, but said millions of people in areas under their control are facing the threat of hunger. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns about access to some parts of the country due to bureaucratic procedures and approval processes imposed by both parties to the conflict.
Only 10% of people in areas reviewed by the IPC received food assistance in the last three months, according to the report. Aid workers and diplomats have reported increased tensions between the government and humanitarian aid organizations after the IPC determined Zamzam was in famine in August.
The Sudanese government has discouraged NGOs from providing relief in hard-hit Darfur region, which is largely controlled by RSF forces. The number of visa applications awaiting approval for non-UN aid workers has skyrocketed, with only 10% approved in the last three months.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/global-hunger-monitor-says-famine-war-torn-sudan-is-spreading-2024-12-24