UAE, Morocco, Jordan, Mauritania, Chad, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Seychelles, Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria Issue Joint Statement on Sudan’s Alarming Food Security Crisis
The United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Jordan, Mauritania, Chad, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Seychelles, Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Mozambique, and Nigeria have issued a joint statement concerning the dire food security situation and the risk of famine in Sudan.
The statement reads as follows:
“We express our deep concern regarding the findings of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, published on June 27, 2024. The report highlights that after 14 months of conflict, Sudan is experiencing the most severe levels of acute food insecurity ever recorded in the country.
The alarming results reveal an unprecedented level of food insecurity in Sudan, with 25.6 million people in severe acute food insecurity and 14 regions at risk of famine.
We are particularly alarmed by the ‘stark and rapid deterioration’ in food security and the grave impacts of the worsening situation on the safety and welfare of civilians, including thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
We are deeply concerned about the implications of the prolonged conflict on Sudan and neighboring countries.
We acknowledge that the escalating food insecurity in Sudan poses a significant humanitarian challenge, with potential ramifications for displacement, refugees, and migration dynamics, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated international response to address the crisis.
As the humanitarian crisis worsens and the tragic consequences for the Sudanese people unfold, we:
Remind the warring parties, as requested by the United Nations Security Council, to allow and facilitate the rapid, safe, sustainable, and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, including by removing bureaucratic and other barriers.
Emphasize the need for the parties to facilitate the urgent provision of visas and travel permits required for humanitarian workers and essential supplies, in line with Resolution 2736 adopted on June 13, 2024.
Call on the warring parties in Sudan to immediately cease hostilities, respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, and comply with all relevant Security Council resolutions.
Reiterate our call for all foreign entities to stop providing armed support or materials to the warring parties and refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions and fuel the conflict.
Urge the international community to provide an immediate and coordinated international response to meet the urgent needs of those affected in Sudan.
The international community must increase its humanitarian aid, support the recommendations of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification to enhance nutrition interventions, restore production systems, and improve data collection.
We stress the urgent need to address the crisis and prevent further deterioration in the humanitarian situation and the imminent risk of famine in Sudan, including working towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict in Sudan.”
