FAO Expresses Concerns over Food Crisis

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expressed its deep concerns over the food crisis in Sudan, as the African country grapples with conflict and economic decline.

In a statement, FAO showed that 20.3 million individuals in Sudan face severe hunger, a figure that has nearly doubled since last year.

It noted that the regions most severely impacted include Khartoum, South and West Kordofan, as well as Central, East, South and West Darfur.

The UN agency also indicated that 42 per cent of the population endures high levels of acute food insecurity, exacerbated by disruptions in the market and skyrocketing food prices, which hinder access to essential goods and services.

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phases numbers, the common standards for classifying food severity, the situation is critical with 14 million people facing ‘crisis’ and more than six million people, around 13 per cent of the population, are now one step away from famine.

“The conflict has had devastating consequences on the food and nutrition security and well-being of millions of people. Families are facing unimaginable suffering,” said Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO's Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa.