The hunger crisis in war-torn Sudan is deepening as vital humanitarian operations face an imminent and potentially catastrophic funding shortfall.
The United Nations World Food Programme says its cash assistance will run out completely by the end of August.
Food stocks are expected to be depleted by September unless the agency receives urgent international funding.
Nearly 20 million Sudanese people are facing acute hunger, while three million children are at risk of deadly diseases and severe malnutrition.
The conflict has also prevented in-kind food aid from reaching West Kordofan State since the beginning of the year.
With its current funding, the agency can assist only four million of the 19 million people who need humanitarian support.
The WFP is seeking $656 million over the next six months to prevent a worsening crisis and wider regional instability.
Severe funding shortages have forced aid workers to ration assistance and prioritise communities facing the highest risk of famine.
