Sudan faces a critical battle against time as war-ravaged farmers struggle to plant crops, heightening famine risks, warns the United Nations.
With conflict raging between Sudan’s regular army and paramilitary forces, led by rival generals, the nation confronts its worst displacement crisis, leaving millions homeless and harvests imperiled.
UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization underscores the urgency, citing a dire “food security situation” across Sudan. Vulnerable regions like Darfur and Kordofan are particularly at risk, with acute food shortages exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The World Food Programme’s Sudan director highlights a staggering 41% decrease in food availability compared to the previous year, with areas like Darfur facing alarming shortfalls. Civil unrest has crippled agricultural productivity, leaving vast swathes of once-fertile land barren.
Farmers, like Hamed Ali near Wad Madani, find themselves trapped, unable to tend to their fields amid ongoing conflict. The disruption has severely impacted Sudan’s agricultural sector, where 60% of the population relies on employment.
The impending planting season is critical, yet conflict hampers essential farming activities. Urgent aid is required to equip farmers with necessary supplies for cultivation.
Compounding the crisis, disruptions in imports due to severed supply routes exacerbate food shortages. The closure of distribution companies further compounds the challenge for farmers like Mohamed Suleiman in Gedaref.
As the war persists, 18 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity, with five million at risk of famine. Despite international pledges of aid, meeting the nation’s needs remains a daunting task.
For Mohamed Abdel Baqi and countless others, the cessation of war is imperative to reclaiming their livelihoods and averting a looming famine.
