Aid officials recently met in Berlin to discuss the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The civil war that began three years ago has intensified food and fuel shortages, worsened by the conflict in Iran and the broader Middle East.
Currently, about 19 million people in Sudan face acute hunger. Over 11 million have been displaced as the conflict divides the country.
Matthias Mogge, head of the German food aid organization Welthungerhilfe, highlighted alarming price increases. Fuel costs have risen by 80%, while wheat prices are up by 70%. He expressed concern about the increased costs of delivering aid, which limits support efforts.
Carl Skau from the World Food Programme (WFP) pointed out that Sudan relies heavily on the Gulf for diesel and fertilizer. Disruptions in supply chains due to the ongoing conflict are posing long-term threats to food production. Without access to fertilizers, future harvests could be severely impacted.
Sudan’s agriculture relies heavily on irrigation from the Nile, which needs fuel. Skau warned that the Middle East war is having a dramatic ripple effect on Sudan’s food security.
The situation is dire. According to the UN, nearly 700 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Sudan during the first three months of this year. Drones are increasingly used by both sides in the conflict, particularly in regions like South Kordofan, and children are disproportionately affected. UNICEF reported that 80% of children killed or injured were victims of drone strikes.
Sadly, as the situation evolves, the plight of civilians escalates. The war has seen the breakdown of an alliance between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both sides have been accused of war crimes and attacks on non-combatants. The RSF, historically linked to violent militias, now controls significant areas while the military governs the capital, Khartoum.
With war lasting over three years, the humanitarian needs are mounting. The UN reported that funding for aid projects is alarmingly low, with only 16% of the required support provided this year. The Berlin conference aims to address this urgent funding gap.
For more on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, you can visit the World Food Programme for updates and insights.
