The United Nations issued a stark warning on Monday, declaring that Sudan is the only country in the world where famine has been officially confirmed.
This grim announcement underscores the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in the nation, ravaged by months of intense conflict.
“Sudan remains in the grip of a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions,” declared Edem Wosornu, Director of the Operations and Advocacy Division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), during a briefing to the Security Council.
Wosornu highlighted the “deeply worrying” spread of famine across the country, attributing it largely to the ongoing armed conflict between General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces.
This conflict has not only displaced millions but also severely hampered humanitarian access to those in desperate need.
“Accessing areas of greatest need, including famine-affected locations, remains a fundamental challenge,” Wosornu emphasized.
The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report confirms that famine conditions are present in several locations, primarily in North Darfur. The report further predicts that the number of areas facing famine is likely to increase in the coming months.
“Sudan is currently the only place in the world where famine has been confirmed,” Wosornu stated, reiterating the urgent need for increased humanitarian access, adherence to international humanitarian law, and a significant increase in funding for relief efforts.
The UN and international organizations are urging the international community to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian crisis and save lives.
