UN Secretary-General Expresses Concern Over Escalating Famine Crisis in Sudan
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United Nations, Dec 25 (NationPress) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply worried about the deteriorating food security conditions in Sudan and urges all parties to ensure access to humanitarian aid, as stated by his spokesperson.
After more than 20 months of conflict, over 24.6 million individuals in Sudan—more than half of the population—are experiencing severe levels of acute food insecurity, according to the most recent assessment backed by the UN.
A report published on Tuesday by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global hunger monitoring body, revealed that famine is occurring in at least five regions of Sudan, notably in Zamzam camp in North Darfur and certain areas of the Western Nuba Mountains. The situation is expected to worsen, with five additional regions likely to experience famine between December 2024 and May 2025.
The statement released on Tuesday indicated that the United Nations and its partners are intensifying efforts to deliver food aid and other critical support to the most vulnerable populations. However, ongoing violence and restrictions on the movement of relief supplies and personnel continue to threaten these operations, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Guterres reemphasized the need for all parties to ensure rapid, safe, unhindered, and sustained access to allow humanitarian assistance and workers to reach those in need.
The UN chief also highlighted the urgent requirement for an immediate ceasefire to prevent the ongoing crisis in Sudan and its repercussions on neighboring nations from worsening in 2025.
He called for immediate international support and collaboration to bring the conflicting parties closer to a peaceful resolution through a lasting ceasefire and to enhance funding for humanitarian initiatives.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, resulting in approximately 15,550 fatalities and the displacement of 8.7 million individuals, according to recent estimates from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
