The World Food Program-WFP said in a statement on Monday that it has lifted its suspension of operations in Sudan, as the fighting there threatens millions with hunger. The organisation said distribution of food is expected to commence in the states of Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile in the coming days to provide the life-saving assistance that many so desperately need right now.
The agency said, “We will take utmost care to ensure the safety of all our staff and partners as we rush to meet the growing needs of the most vulnerable.” The WFP suspended operations when three staff members were killed on the first day of the conflict between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary unit, the Rapid Support Forces. The WFP noted that more than 15 million people faced severe food insecurity in Sudan before the conflict began, and said it expects the number “to grow significantly as the fighting continues.”
The WFP had suspended operations when three staff members were killed on the first day of the conflict between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary unit, the Rapid Support Forces. VOA reports that the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has dispatched U.N. emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths to Sudan to assess the situation in the war-torn country.
Fighting erupted in Sudan on 15 April when powerful rival military factions engaged in battle for the control of the country located in the horn of Africa. The Sudanese armed forces, led by General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan has locked horns with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group, which is led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly referred to as Hemedti. Both groups had toppled the Omar-El Bashir government in an October 2021 coup.
Both the army and the RSF were required to cede power under an internationally-backed plan to launch a new transition with civilian parties. A final deal was due to be signed earlier in April. However, two issues proved particularly contentious: one was the timetable for the RSF to be integrated into the regular armed forces, the second was when the army would be formally placed under civilian rule.
The violence has caused destruction of public amenities, rendered many civilians homeless, families torn apart, a serious food crisis and stranded thousands of foreigners, including diplomats and aid workers in the country, with the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.
Both sides are trading words, with the army branding the RSF as a rebel force and demanded its dissolution, while Hemedti has called Burhan a criminal and blamed him for visiting destruction on the country.
According to the World Health Organisation-WHO, more than 450 people have been killed in the conflict and another 4,000 wounded.
Sudan’s major exports are Gold ($2.9b), Groundnut ($488m), Petrol ($400m), Sheep and Goats ($239m) and other oily seeds ($416m) exporting mainly to UAE ($2.9b), China ($780m) Saudi ($341m), India ($259) and Italy ($202m). Sudan’s major imports are Raw Sugar ($859m), Refined Petroleum ($580m), Wheat ($508m), Packaged Medicaments ($238m) and cars ($204m) imported mainly from China ($1.82b), UAE ($1.37b), Saudi ($1.17b), India ($1.01b) and Egypt ($708m)
Meanwhile, warring factions have observed fragile truce as foreign governments close their embassies and race to evacuate their diplomats and citizens.
