Sudan is facing a deep humanitarian crisis and humanitarian needs have reached massive levels since the escalation of violent conflict between rival militaries in April 2023.
In October this year, the UN agency provided food, cash and nutrition assistance to 2.8 million people. This is the first time since the war in the country that such a large number of people have been given relief.
WFP has launched its campaign in 14 areas (hotspots) affected by the hunger crisis, including Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum and Gezira.
Despite dangerous conditions, the UN team reached Zamzam, Abu Shouk and Al Salam camps in North Darfur province. At the same time, assistance has also been provided to internally displaced persons in Central and South Darfur.
In Sirba and Kerenik, West Darfur, food aid has been distributed to thousands of people, providing life-saving support to communities at risk of famine.
Zamzam camp in North Darfur is the only place where famine conditions have been confirmed. Relief efforts by the United Nations Food Agency have focused specifically on this area.
Violence affects aid operations
135,000 people have been helped in the camps since September, and 70,000 people have been sent aid in another relief convoy through Chad’s border post. However, humanitarian aid workers are facing challenges due to the poor security situation.
While WFP has increased food aid, violence is disrupting vital supply routes. Due to fighting in many areas, relief vehicles have been recalled and will now be sent via routes where the security situation is relatively good.
Meanwhile, the United Nations agency has increased cash aid and helped more than 2 million people in Sudan this year. This number is 10 times compared to January.
Cash transfers and voucher systems are important in areas that lack easy access.
Sudan is currently suffering from one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises, with millions of lives at risk, while the fighting shows no sign of abating.