WFP announced a major surge in its operations across Sudan, part of a scaling effort to reach millions of people in the most difficult and isolated conflict zones.
More than 700 trucks carrying emergency food aid are on their way to communities across the country, including 14 “hot spots” facing severe food insecurity and the risk of food insecurity. famine.
They are transporting about 17,500 tons of food assistance, enough to feed 1.5 million people for a month.
‘Not just food’
Laurent Bukera, WFP’s East Africa regional director, said the agency is working to reach all isolated conflict zones in Sudan.
“These trucks don’t just carry food; they carry a lifeline to those caught in the crossfire of conflict and famine. We need to ensure safe passage for our trucks and maintain international support to reach every family at risk,” he said.
Since September, WFP has provided food assistance to an average of two million people each month across Sudan – a number that will increase as a result of this latest stepped-up effort.
Millions of people are hungry
Sudan is among the countries with the world’s worst hunger crisis as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and rival army, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to operate brutal war.
The country is currently home to half of the world’s population facing catastrophic hunger. Approximately 4.7 million children under 5 years of age and pregnant and/or breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition.
The convoy to Zamzam was the first to arrive at the camp since the famine was confirmed in August. It took two weeks to reach the Adre border crossing with Chad.
WFP said the combination of fighting around North Darfur’s capital El Fasher and impassable roads due to the June-September rainy season had cut off incoming food aid deliveries for months.
In the interim, WFP used locally sourced food items to feed 100,000 people in the camp during September and October.
Overall, the agency assisted seven million people in Sudan by 2024 and aims to reach more than eight million by the end of the year.
Keep border crossings open
Recent Sudanese government expand the use of the Adre border crossing after three months, which WFP welcomed.
The border crossing is a key route for humanitarian shipments from Chad to the war-torn country.
WFP reiterates its call for all border crossings into Sudan to remain open and fully operational so that life-saving aid can reach those in urgent need.
