UN: Famine threat looms over much of Sudan

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported yesterday that nearly half of Sudan’s population is facing food insecurity, with a risk of famine looming over large parts of the country.

In its report on the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, UNDP highlighted that the 19-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has had severe repercussions on the Sudanese people.

It noted that “nearly half of Sudan’s population, approximately 26 million people, are currently facing food insecurity, with famine threatening substantial areas of the country.”

Additionally, the report stated that the number of internally displaced people within Sudan has exceeded 11 million, underscoring the conflict’s dire impact on this situation.

Around half of Sudan’s urban population faces moderate to severe food insecurity, while only 20 per cent of urban households attain food security, the report revealed.

Healthcare access has also drastically declined, with pre-civil war levels at 78 per cent of the population, now reduced to just 15.5 per cent.

READ: Activists: 450 killed in RSF attack on Hilaliya, Central Sudan