Sudan War: Nearly 26 Million Hungry Due to High Food Prices, Difficulty in Access

“To give you an example, equivalent to the entire population of Australia”, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told journalists attending daily meeting in New York.

He say OCHA “continues to be extremely concerned about the worsening food situation in the country” and the 26 million figure includes 750,000 people “just a step away from famine”.

The situation is getting worse.

In Sudan, high food prices, limited access and the impact of conflict are exacerbating people’s limited access to food.

Last month, local food prices increased 16 percent compared to May and were 120 percent higher than in June 2023.

“People’s plight will only get worse when the rainy season comes,” said Mr. Dujarric.

He explained that the Tine border crossing – used to transport goods from Chad into Sudan’s Darfur region – is currently impassable due to heavy rains and flooding. Many roads in southern Sudan are also inaccessible.

‘Worst case scenario’

Mr Dujarric warned that “the people of Sudan are facing the worst-case scenario” while humanitarian organisations there urgently need access through every possible route to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

He also stressed the critical need for financial support, noting that $2.7 billion plan to cover humanitarian activities this year only 30 percent funded.

A destroyed building in Sudan’s Omdurman region, where fighting since April 15, 2023 has caused widespread destruction to infrastructure.

The fact-finding mission recorded serious violations.

Individual, The United Nations Independent International Investigation Mission on Sudan called on the international community to urgently step up efforts to end the war, which has now entered its second year.

Mission – established by the United Nations Dong Nhan Quy Association – just concluded a three-week visit to neighboring Chad, where serious human rights violations stemming from the conflict were documented.

Three members met with Sudanese refugees who recounted first-hand accounts of horrific acts of murder, sexual violence including gang rape, arbitrary detention, torture, forced disappearances, looting, burning of homes, and the use of child soldiers.

Sexual violence as a punishment

They note that many of the violations appear to be specifically targeting professionals such as lawyers, human rights defenders, teachers and doctors. Forced displacement is a common feature.

“It is disheartening to hear the testimonies of victims of sexual violence,” speak Expert member Mona Rishmawi.

“This violence appears to have occurred during captivity and while women and girls were on the run. Sometimes it’s to punish a woman who is actively fighting for her community. Sometimes it’s random and opportunistic.“ .

The fact-finding mission also heard views on steps that could and should be taken to break the cycle of continuing violence and ensure accountability, justice and support for victims.

“I admire the courage of many of the widows we met in the refugee camps,” said Expert Member Joy Ngozi Ezeilo. “No one should have to go through such a devastating, life-changing experience.”

Demand exceeds existing support capacity

While acknowledging the enormous efforts of the Chadian authorities, UN agencies and other humanitarian responders, the experts said “it is clear that the needs far exceed the current support capacity”.

Chande Othman, Chairman of the Fact-Finding Mission, stressed that the entire international community must respond.

“UN agencies and humanitarian groups urgently need greater financial and other support to ensure that returning Sudanese and Chadian refugees have access to basic facilities, including nutrition, sanitation, health care and education,” he said.

Support the host community

The mission also called on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Chadian communities hosting refugees who are under great pressure.

The border town of Adre alone has taken in more than 200,000 Sudanese refugees – at least five times the town’s original size.

Like all independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council, the members of the Mission are not employees of the United Nations and are not paid for their work.