WFP Says Sudan Violence Could Push Millions Into Hunger

A United Nations Agency, World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the violence could push millions more into hunger.

WFP had planned to support some 7.6 million people in Sudan this year but was forced to temporarily halt operations as the fighting is preventing teams from carrying out activities such as delivering critical emergency food, providing school meals, and preventing and treating malnutrition.

The UN agency has also suffered immense losses as three staff members were killed in crossfire on Saturday, and two sustained severe injuries.

WFP added that its staff, offices, vehicles, equipment and food stocks have also come in the direct line of fire.

The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which WFP manages on behalf of the international community, is now completely grounded.

One aircraft in Khartoum has been damaged beyond repair, and at least 10 vehicles and six food trucks have been stolen.

Additionally, WFP guesthouses, offices and warehouses in Nyala, South Darfur, have been overrun and looted, resulting in the loss of up to 4,000 metric tonnes of food.

With Sudan’s health system reportedly at near collapse, the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, is concerned about pregnant women who require ongoing care and access to hospitals where they can safely give birth.

UNFPA Regional Director Laila Bakur, estimated that there are approximately 219,000 mothers-to-be in Khartoum alone.

“We find that there is very little that we can do in terms of provision of care, and they have not been able to access any form of safe delivery,” she said.

Bakur spoke about one of the tragic cases UNFPA has encountered, concerning an expectant mother who was caught in crossfire and struck by a bullet while desperately trying to get to a hospital.

“Although she was rushed to the hospital – UNFPA is providing services even over the telephone in terms of guidance and telemedicine wherever it’s possible – we were able to save the child, the baby, but the woman sadly died,” she said.

“We’re greatly concerned that situations on the ground where the respect for civilian life and access to medical care is not respected by conflicting parties will result in more cases like this.

“We really and truly wish, and ask all of the parties in conflict to respect international humanitarian law, particularly where access to healthcare is concerned,” the official said.