Comprehensive assessment of food security and vulnerability (CFSVA) shows that the combined impact of economic and political crises; conflict and displacement; climate shocks; and poor harvest during the last agricultural season is one of the main causes of the emergency.
As millions are being “pushed deeper into hunger and poverty”, Eddie Rowe, WFP Country Representative and Director in Sudan, attracted attention to another challenge.
“The level of funding is inconsistent with humanitarian need and we must act now to avoid increasing hunger and save the lives of those already affected,” he warned.
Prediction is going to get worse
The review predicts that the situation is likely to worsen during the country’s lean season, which begins this month and will continue through September.
By that time, up to 40% of the population, or about 18 million people, could be food insecure, which WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)FAO) was warned earlier this year.
Babagana Ahmadu, FAO Representative in Sudan, said: “In the 2021/2022 harvest year, Sudan can produce 5.1 million tonnes of grain, enough to meet the needs of less than two-thirds of the population.
“If the ongoing agricultural season does not receive strong support with agricultural inputs and livestock services, the number of people experiencing food insecurity could increase dramatically to unprecedented levels and ultimately lead to to more conflict and displacement”.
Protracted conflict to blame
With more than half of the country’s wheat imports coming from the Black Sea region, the conflict in Ukraine has further raised food and fuel prices – complicating the situation.
The CFSVA assessment found that food insecurity exists in all 18 states of Sudan and has worsened in 16.
The 10 worst-affected localities are in Darfur, which has been ravaged by nearly two decades of conflict and protracted displacement.
Most affected is Kereneik, West Darfur, where New clashes in late April claimed the lives of at least 179 people, displaced about 125,000 and left 90% of the population food insecureaccording to CFSVA analysis.
Call to action
First comers Assessment by WFP and FAO on agricultural production, published last March, revealed that poor harvests in many parts of Sudan have negatively affected food availability and livelihood opportunities.
Based on this, the newly released CFSVA confirms the worsening food security situation in Sudan.
To address the rapidly increasing food insecurity, FAO and WFP are calling for urgent action, including increased funding, to save lives and avert an emerging hunger crisis in Sudan..
