WFP Reports Increasing Risk of Famine in Southern Khartoum Areas

Several regions south of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, are at risk of famine, according to the World Food Programme.

Famine is a serious threat in a number of regions south of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday. The severe situation is made worse by a large financing deficit for food assistance, as the actual humanitarian needs on the ground greatly exceed the resources that are available.

WFP Country Director in Sudan Laurent Bukera verified the “severe” levels of hunger, poverty, and despair seen in these areas, indicating a definite risk of famine, while speaking via video link from Port Sudan. One such area where extreme starvation was reported was Jebel Awlia.

With access to the capital at last, the WFP has reached one million people in seven Khartoum districts. But because of a $500 million funding shortfall for emergency food and financial assistance, the agency has had to cut back on oil and pulse rations in its food supplies. Because of a lack of resources, nutritional supplements for young children as well as pregnant and lactating moms are also out of reach.

Sudan’s protracted conflict, which began in April 2023 between the army and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused millions of people to be displaced and split the nation into conflict zones. Even though Khartoum was just taken from the RSF by the army in late March, the destruction and humanitarian crises still exist.

Rations in famine-risk regions had already been lowered by the WFP in April to 70% of a typical WFP ration, or 2100 kcal per day. According to the World Food Program, if they don’t receive immediate assistance, they won’t be able to provide the required food packages to the Sudanese people, who currently number four million.