Over 18 millions Sudanese face food shortage

JUBA — The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Sudan warned Monday that at least 18 million Sudanese will face food insecurity by September 2022.

According to NRC, the high levels of hunger are being driven by insecurity, economic crisis and poor harvests.

Will Carter, Country Director for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Sudan said the violence in Darfur is threatening the upcoming harvest season.

“Over 18 million people are likely to face acute food insecurity by September across Sudan because of the combined effects of insecurity, economic crisis and poor harvests,” Carter said in a statement seen by Dawn on Monday.

Over the past months insecurity has spread across at least three areas of West Darfur, as well as in the neighboring states of North and South Darfur.

Armed violence which broke out on Friday in Kreinik town, West Darfur of Sudan, has displaced tens of thousands of people. 

“Towns in West Darfur are burning before our eyes, and communities are being assaulted over and over. This tragedy is quickly becoming a catastrophe. The deadly spiralling violence must end,” said Carter.

Most families affected by the fighting in Kreinik town were already displaced by prior violence.

Many saw their homes set ablaze five months ago in a previous attack and have since been living in makeshift settlements.

NRC fears the violence could spread beyond Kreinik to reach West Darfur’s state capital of Al Geneina.

The city hosts about 100,000 displaced people, many of whom are living in makeshift tents, with nothing to protect those stray bullets or violence.

As tensions have risen in recent days, gunfire has been heard in the city, leading scores of terrified families to flee from settlement to settlement in desperate search for safety. 

“We call all parties to immediately de-escalate and restrain from further harming civilians. Safe and free passage of fleeing civilians and access for humanitarian assistance must be urgently restored,” said Carter.