Sudan War Threatens Millions with Worst Levels of Severe Food Insecurity
moatinoon
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) unit announced in a new alert that approximately 5 million Sudanese are now suffering from severe malnutrition, with food insecurity and acute malnutrition expected to worsen from next month onwards. It called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a large-scale deployment of humanitarian aid.
In a statement released yesterday, Friday, it explained, "As of March 2024, estimates indicate that a total of 4.86 million people are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 3.66 million children under the age of five and 1.2 million pregnant and lactating women. This reflects an increase of more than 22% compared to the beginning of 2023."
Recent warnings from international humanitarian organizations about the significant deterioration of food security and nutrition in Sudan amidst escalating conflict have been increasing.
Last December, the IPC forecasted that around 18 million Sudanese would face high levels of acute food insecurity, with approximately 5 million reaching phase four of the classification, which precedes a declaration of famine.
The IPC unit stated that the latest evidence-based reports available express serious concern about the deteriorating situation, urging stakeholders to take immediate action to prevent famine.
It warned that the states of Khartoum, Jazeera, as well as Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, would face catastrophic consequences if the conflict worsens, displacement continues, and humanitarian aid access remains limited to provide supplies and services to those in need.
It added, "Without an immediate cessation of hostilities and a large-scale deployment of humanitarian aid (pending adequate funding and immediate access without hindrance to the needy population), residents of Khartoum, Jazeera, Greater Darfur, and Greater Kordofan are at risk of reaching the worst levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition during the upcoming lean season from April to May 2024. Thus, immediate action is needed to prevent widespread deaths, complete collapse of livelihoods, and avoid a catastrophic hunger crisis in Sudan."
The fighting in primary crop-producing areas of the country during the peak harvest season has led to a sharp decline in grain production, with estimates indicating a decrease of 46% compared to the previous year, with yield reductions of up to 80% in Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur. In West Darfur state, insecurity during the planting season has resulted in complete crop failure (CFSAM). Despite the relatively functional performance of markets, food prices are 73% higher than they were in the same period last year and 350% higher than the five-year average (World Food Programme and Famine Early Warning Systems Network). This is exacerbated by the depreciation of the Sudanese currency.
Further complicating the situation is the spread of measles, malaria, and cholera, which have already reached 11,000 cases, medical and nutritional supply shortages, insufficient access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene items.
It is worth noting that the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a system for measuring food security and nutrition to assist governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society in identifying the severity and extent of acute and chronic food insecurity and acute malnutrition in a country.
This system was introduced in Somalia in 2004 by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FSNAU). Since then, a global partnership of 15 operational organizations has led the development and implementation of the system globally, regionally, and nationally. After more than 10 years of implementation, the classification has proven to be one of the best practices in global food security and a model for collaboration in over 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
