Over 700 trucks carrying food aid are set to deliver essential supplies to Sudan’s struggling communities, where hunger has become widespread due to ongoing conflict. The war, which has displaced people from their farms, has led to severe food shortages, soaring prices, and limited access to aid, as warring factions restrict humanitarian efforts.
Nour Abdallah, a resident of Zamzam displacement camp, expressed the dire situation, saying, “There is a lot of suffering in this camp.” Famine was officially confirmed in the camp in July, with experts predicting that over 25 million people—more than half of Sudan’s population—will face acute hunger this year.
In response, the World Food Programme (WFP) is preparing to deliver over 17,000 tons of food, which will assist around 1.5 million people for one month. The aid will be distributed across 14 regions identified as “hotspots” due to extreme food insecurity and the risk of famine. Aid agencies are calling for greater access to ensure all those in need are reached.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has resulted in the deaths of around 24,000 people and displaced millions. In neighboring Chad, malnutrition-related deaths have also occurred, with reports of children dying from disease exacerbated by hunger.
International calls for unhindered access to aid have grown, with U.S. President Joe Biden urging both sides to stop civilian killings and allow aid to reach those in need. Despite these calls, the fighting shows no signs of abating, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
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